Intelligence Quotient versus Emotional Quotient: Which is More Important?

A person’s Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is an assessment of human intelligence based on the results of a standardized test and the Emotional Quotient (EQ), is the measure of a person’s emotional intelligence. The debate as to which one of these two should be given more importance has been going on for decades. Even psychologists, experts in the field of the human mind and its functions, have divided views about this issue.

Some specialists suggest that a person’s IQ should remain dominant over the EQ for the simple reason that a person’s intellect is genetically predisposed and it cannot be altered by any kind of training. This is unlike emotional capabilities and skills that can be learned through practice and even therapy. They add that intelligence is very fundamental and basic. For a person to be able to do a certain action correctly, he or she must first learn and fully understand what should be done. Without intellect, it will be difficult for a person to learn, comprehend and act accordingly.

There are also those who believe that IQ levels are primary determinants of success. For them, it is more likely for people with higher IQ levels to succeed in overcoming difficult tasks and problems.

On the other hand, those who believe that one’s EQ should be given more importance emphasize that the EQ can give a person the competitive edge. People may be intelligent but if they do not possess the correct attitude and behavior then their mental power will just go down the drain. They add that in this time and age, solely relying on intellect won’t guarantee survival especially that people are highly dependent on social networking and interrelationships.

Some employers and businessmen now give more importance to one’s EQ than IQ. This is because research shows that higher EQ levels may mean better leadership skills and collaboration abilities, traits that are essential for employees, managers and business leaders to have.

All in all, there is still no definitive answer as to which is more important. Some even believe that it is the good combination of IQ and EQ skills that can make a person successful. Experts advise people not to give too much focus on these two different quotients as they are just measurements of a small portion of a person’s whole being. They say there are far more factors that contribute to one’s success aside from one’s IQ and EQ.