The world gives too much emphasis on a child’s visual and spatial processing, fluid reasoning, and quantitative reasoning which is often tested in the form of IQ (Intelligence Quotient) test. In fact, most of the schools or colleges at the time of entrance exam evaluate a candidate’s knowledge by judging his/her maths skills and reading comprehension. Although, IQ is a vital parameter to judge one’s intelligence but it is not the only factor that can take your child further in life.

Studies suggest that Emotional Quotient (EQ) is the main determining factor that decides the longevity of one’s success in the path of life. Experts’ say- the ability to identify emotions and evaluating how others feel makes a person much more influential and prosperous in his/her life.

Higher EQ leads to Higher Career Growth

A good IQ can land you a job but bad EQ can get you fired from your services. Research suggests- your IQ contributes only 20% of your overall success in life. Emotional Quotient or Social Intelligence plays much greater role in determining the altitude of your success. This is the reason- emotional intelligence has a strong impact in number of areas, including the business world.

Many researches revealed that employees with strong leadership potential also possess stronger EQ, suggesting that a higher emotional quotient is an important quality for business leaders and managers to have. For example, one insurance company found that EQ could play a vital role in sales success. Sales agents who ranked lower on EQ levels such as empathy, initiative, and self-confidence were found to sell lesser policies as compared to employees having higher EQ.

Organizations across the world thus now believe that emotional quotient assist an employee to read workplace situations better and help in collaborating and solving problems with co-workers in a hassle-free manner. This is the cause many employers have started analysing EQ levels at the time of hiring and even provide training to nurture EQ abilities.

Control Gratification

Most of the humans tend to get immediate gratification from their efforts. However, in real world, things don’t work in such a fashion. People who have the potential to pay the price today and delay the much deserved rewards are more likely to succeed in life.

Delayed gratification is one of the top qualities that determine the magnitude of one’s success in this fiercely competitive world. But unfortunately people across the nations seek instant gratification. This is reflected from our everyday lives in the foods we choose to eat, the buy-now-pay-later way of life, our difficulty in adhering to an exercise regimen, and putting mindless entertainment ahead of self-development.

Experts believe that a person with higher EQ can control his/her gratification in a much more balanced way as compared with others.

High EQ Assists in Forming and Sustaining Relationships

One day on the school bus, a six year old student gave a toy car; he had been gifted to a boy with special needs. For many days he was noticing that no one wants to sit next to that physically challenged boy, who was often disruptive during the ride. His plan worked; that gift helped that physically challenged boy to stay calm and focus. This is a real story which demonstrates the power of high EQ in understanding others.

Study shows that our emotional skills have a direct and significant bearing on our relationships with others. All humans need to understand others’ feelings, where they come from, and how to properly express them. No one can maintain robust and healthy relationships with other unless one can control his/her emotions, communicate his/her feelings in a constructive manner, and understand the feelings of others.

Emotional Health Impacts Physical Health

There is a direct co-relation between emotional health and physical health. Stress is one such part of humans’ lives that no one is untouched of. However, how much one has to take it- is in the control of human mind. Since, stress directly impacts physical health of any individual.

According to one research, it has been found that 80% of our health problems are stress related. We experience stress largely because we are not happy emotionally. We need to realize the link between our emotional health and our physical health.

Poor EQ is linked to Crime and other Unethical Behaviours

Studies suggest that poor EQ is linked to crime and other unethical behaviours. Children who possess low emotional skills become social outcasts at very young age. Such children react with fists rather than a reason. Moreover, poor emotional and social skills contribute in augmenting attention problems and frustration among children. Such students rapidly fall behind in school, and may incline to make friends with others traversing in the same boat. While there is no doubt that family and environment are the strongest contributors, the common thread is poor emotional and social skills.

After reading such huge impacts of emotional quotient on our own lives, many argue that: Can emotional quotient be learned? The answer to that question is unequivocal yes. There are many programs out there in the market that nurture emotional quotient. Such programs offer character education, model positive behaviour, encourage people to think about others, and help finding ways to become more empathetic towards others.

Evaluate your child’s EQ, if it falls below 90 or 100, then you must have to look out for some new ways to improve your ward’s EQ. Ultimately, high EQ with the combination of good IQ- can only help your child to climb the success ladder, that too with good pace and less hurdles along the path.

 —- Ashwini Deshmukh