EQ takes a lead over IQ

It has been established by research in the recent years that though IQ (intelligence quotient) is important for success in professional and personal life, emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) plays a far greater role in our success.

City-based Ebe Chaney, a certified leadership, EQ and life coach, is on a mission to remove the misconception about emotions and create awareness on how they are a valuable resource for optimum decision-making and source of energy, which we call motivation.

Chaney who has 44 years of experience in the industry, conducted a session on ‘EQ and success’ at a recently organised breakfast talk by city-based IT company, Extentia, in Pune.

Chaney said that EQ is basically the ability to identify, assess and control the emotions of oneself, others and of groups. “Emotional intelligence is increasingly relevant for organisational development and people. This is because EQ principles provide a new way to understand and assess people’s behaviours, management styles, attitudes, interpersonal skills and potential,” he said.

On a mission to increase people’s awareness on emotional intelligence, Chaney, brings empathy and commitment to make a difference to others.

“There is apathy all around us. This sometimes we may call as lack of national pride, which I feel is the single most important link required for tapping our country’s full potential. People are so self-centred that they don’t care for others or their surroundings,” he said.

Chaney points out apathy as lack of empathy and commitment. “This shows up in many areas of our nation’s life. We are considered to be very intelligent and competent as individuals but when it comes to working or playing as a team, we fail. I am sure there is still a lot left to research on the Indian psyche. My take is that scarcity syndrome is very strongly etched in our mind set,” he added.

To expect emotional maturity from youth, Chaney said, “It has to be remembered that we do not acquire the neural connectivity required to act as inhibitor to emotional intensity, not until late teens. Hence, to expect from young folks to have emotional balance or maturity is unreasonable. The habits to react on autopilot to intense emotions are formed early in life. This is where the efforts of parents and teachers become valuable.”
Motivating for community service

For three years, Chaney offered his voluntary services to postgraduate students of a management school. He was impressed by the vision of the principal who made 60 hours of community service in a year mandatory for the first year students. His mandate was to motivate students to participate in various community service projects.

Each project had around 20-25 students. Most of the projects were conducted in the neighbourhood. He said this brought the students in contact with a section of the population which was far less fortunate than them and taught them the joy of giving.

Chaney told students that the two most important ingredients for success in life are passion and compassion. He found that despite the fact that their effort in this area did not count for in their final marks, there was very little absenteeism in his classes.

Those who were not interested in his lectures were allowed to leave his classes and barring a small number, rest listened to him very carefully. He would talk to them on various subjects like leadership, creativity, motivation and teamwork, which he said were very essential skills that the future corporate leaders must possess.