Everyone knows the importance of intelligence. We spend a lot of money on educating the next generation of leaders because it is believed smart people make smart decisions. Of course, not everything in life or business is black or white, right or wrong. The answer to what else is needed is EQ. 
EQ (emotional quotient) or emotional intelligence, is the "measure of a person's adequacy in such areas as self-awareness, empathy, and dealing sensitively with other people." You might also say it can be quantified by a person's intuition, the ability to quickly read a situation. Empathy, sensitivity and intuition are all qualities more likely seen in women than men.
Can you imagine what the destiny is for a person in business with high IQ and an equally high EQ? Women in business are proving daily that this combination is critical to success for today's leaders, managers and entrepreneurs.
Let me provide some examples from my experience working with women and men in business to explore what I mean.
Joe has a small business that he has been running for 9 years. Sales are stagnant and he finds it difficult to keep people for more than 6 months. When we meet he talks about how difficult it is to keep a good staff. "They don't understand that business has its ups and downs and I can't agree to a regular salary or time commitment," he says. When I point out to him that in order to grow a business one needs to develop a plan so that employees have a definite idea of their responsibilities so that they can depend on working specific hours for a specific income, he looks at me as if I don't understand his dilemma. He has operated for such a long time on where his energy level is, that he has no understanding that a staff of qualified people can take him to where he needs to go. So, depending on his focus and energy level, one month he is up and next month he is down, all the while blaming staff unwilling for more than a few months to stay around with no progress or even potential for success.
Joe has an adequate IQ and knows his business well. His EQ is nil! He believes that others think and do as he does and that they will follow him blindly regardless of their own situation. Even when an employee requests that an annual plan would help grow the company, Joe sits back and allows the world to overwhelm him.
As a business person, Joe has no self-awareness or ability to empathize with those he hires to work for him. He is also surprised when a new hire loses enthusiasm early on and questions him on his sensitivity for those working on his behalf.
Jill has a small business that has also been operating for 9 years. The first 3 years she was learning and now sales are good. When we meet we talk about expanding inventory, customer appreciation, staff incentives, special events and better margins. "Our customers love our products and our sales staff. What can we do to make the experience better every time and have them spread our brand word of mouth more and more," she says. Jill is smart, hardworking and willing to do whatever it takes to keep the company moving forward. She understands that appreciating her customers goes a long way to making her business successful. She also realizes that when her sales force is happy and pumped up they are more productive which in turn sparks customers to buy more. It is a win-win situation for Jill.
Jill is a woman entrepreneur who uses her IQ and, more important, her EQ every day in her business. She is aware and sensitive to her staff and her customers. Nothing escapes her notice in the workplace and she is able to share her emotions comfortable with all.
These are just two simple examples of how EQ is working every day in the workplace and why women, when embracing their EQ, outpace men in business.
I know hundreds of stories of women in business making the corporate workplace a better place to endeavor. Human beings are the only animals with the ability to truly share their emotions. The more we cherish this ability and use it as a strength, the sooner our business culture will evolve for the better.
Please share your thoughts or stories of how your EQ + IQ has benefited your success. You are role models for all women and your experience matters.
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