EQ: The Why
Have you ever struggled to stay calm in a stressful moment? Have emotions ever clouded your judgment in a difficult situation? Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is essential because it directly impacts how we work, communicate, and handle challenges. At the Morgan County Probate Office, where teamwork, problem-solving, and public service are part of daily operations, EQ helps create a productive, respectful, and effective workplace.
While technical skills matter, the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions is what allows us to build strong relationships, communicate clearly, and stay composed under pressure. EQ is not just about professional growth. It also improves interactions, strengthens teamwork, and supports a balanced, thoughtful approach to any situation.
Success in the workplace isn’t just about skills and knowledge—it’s about how we handle challenges, communicate, and work with others. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) helps us stay composed, make thoughtful decisions, and build strong relationships, all of which are essential in a professional setting.
At the Morgan County Probate Office, where we interact with the public and colleagues daily, emotions can run high. Whether it’s helping someone navigate a stressful legal process or working through a tough situation with a coworker, EQ allows us to respond with professionalism and empathy.
Before we continue, take a moment to reflect on your own EQ. Identifying your strengths and areas for growth will help you get the most out of this lesson.
Self-Assessment: Emotional Intelligence - The Why
Please take a few moments to answer the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for growth in your leadership and daily life?
How do my emotions influence my thoughts and actions in different situations?
Have I let my emotions cloud my judgment in decision-making?
Have I faced consequences from lacking emotional intelligence in relationships?
Do I try to regulate my emotions and express them appropriately in different settings?
Have I reflected on past experiences to improve my emotional intelligence?
How do I prioritize building healthy relationships with others using EQ?
Have I noticed a connection between my emotional intelligence and my satisfaction in life?
How can I use my EQ to achieve my personal and professional goals more effectively?
This self-assessment serves as a starting point in understanding your Emotional Intelligence. Taking time to reflect on your answers and focusing on areas for growth will support your development.
“We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”
Decades of research confirm that EQ plays a major role in workplace success. Employees with high EQ are better at managing stress, resolving conflicts, and leading with confidence. Studies show that those who develop strong EQ are more likely to thrive in their careers, maintain positive relationships, and experience greater job satisfaction. The best part? Unlike IQ, which remains fairly stable, EQ is a skill that can be strengthened with practice.
So, why does Emotional Intelligence matter? Because it shapes how we navigate difficult moments, support our team, and make decisions under pressure. Strengthening your EQ means improving not just your work environment, but also your ability to handle life’s challenges with confidence and clarity.
Benefits of Having a Strong EQ:
Better Relationships: Your personal and professional interactions will improve as you become more attuned to others' emotions and needs.
Reading Emotions: You’ll be better at recognizing subtle emotional cues through facial expressions, gestures, and body language, helping you respond thoughtfully.
Improved Listening: Instead of just waiting for your turn to talk, EQ encourages active listening, leading to more meaningful and productive conversations.
Managing Stress: Being aware of your own and others' emotions helps you handle stress more effectively, allowing you to stay composed in difficult situations.
Let’s look at an example of EQ in action:
Keeping Cool Under Pressure
Anna and Elsa had been close sisters for years, running a small business together that specializes in handcrafted winter accessories. Their shop was thriving, but when big orders came in, the pressure sometimes led to tension.
One afternoon, while preparing for a major shipment, Elsa noticed that Anna had mislabeled several items. Frustrated, she blurted out, “Anna, you never double-check these things!” Anna’s face fell, and the room went silent.
Anna felt the urge to snap back, but she paused. Instead of reacting defensively, she took a breath and said, “I didn’t realize I made a mistake. Let’s go over it so I can fix it.” Elsa, still tense, crossed her arms. “We can’t afford errors like this,” she muttered.
Rather than letting the conversation escalate, Anna stayed calm. “I get that this is stressful, and I want to make it right. What if we come up with a system to double-check labels before shipping?”
Elsa exhaled, her frustration easing. “That’s a good idea,” she admitted. “I shouldn’t have snapped. I know you’re doing your best.”
By using Emotional Intelligence—managing her emotions, responding thoughtfully, and focusing on a solution—Anna helped prevent an argument and strengthened her working relationship with Elsa.
Staying calm under pressure and choosing thoughtful responses instead of emotional reactions can turn tense moments into productive conversations. Whether in business or everyday life, Emotional Intelligence helps build stronger, more supportive relationships.
“75% of careers are derailed for reasons related to emotional competencies, including inability to handle interpersonal problems; unsatisfactory team leadership during times of difficulty or conflict; or inability to adapt to change or elicit trust.”
Anna and Elsa’s situation is just one example of how EQ influences workplace interactions, but research shows its impact goes even deeper. Studies have consistently demonstrated that Emotional Intelligence is crucial for workplace success. Here are some key findings:
Bardzill and Slaski found that encouraging emotionally intelligent behaviors leads to a more positive and productive work environment. They recommend integrating EQ into workplace policies and rewarding these behaviors to build a culture of service and teamwork.
Welch’s research found that teams with high EQ consistently outperform teams with lower EQ, even when IQ levels are similar. This shows that emotional intelligence is essential for effective communication and collaboration.
Turner (2004) concluded that EQ plays a larger role in success than IQ, attributing 80% of workplace success to EQ and only 20% to traditional intelligence. This suggests that individuals with strong EQ are more likely to excel, while those lacking EQ may struggle even if they have strong technical skills.
Research also shows that EQ naturally improves with age. Over time, people tend to focus more on positive outcomes, place a higher value on relationships, and develop a more optimistic outlook. This natural progression, combined with intentional efforts to develop EQ, gives employees a powerful advantage in managing responsibilities and interacting with others effectively.
Understanding the importance of EQ is just the first step. The real impact comes from developing and applying it in daily life. One of the strongest drivers of EQ growth is internal motivation—the ability to pursue personal and professional goals with passion and perseverance. People who are internally motivated tend to be more productive, resilient, and engaged in their work.
Emotional Intelligence isn’t just about recognizing emotions; it’s about using that awareness to take meaningful action. Motivation plays a key role in EQ because it helps you stay focused, push through challenges, and continue growing, even when things get tough. Without motivation, self-awareness and self-regulation can only take you so far.
Internally motivated people do not wait for inspiration to strike. They set goals, stay optimistic, and take initiative to improve both themselves and their workplace. This mindset leads to better problem-solving, stronger teamwork, and greater job satisfaction.
The following best practices will help you strengthen your internal motivation, turning Emotional Intelligence into a daily habit rather than just an idea.
Best Practices for Strengthening Internal Motivation:
Daniel Goleman highlights three key elements of internal motivation that drive Emotional Intelligence:
Commitment to Goals: Emotionally intelligent individuals set clear, challenging, yet achievable goals and remain dedicated to reaching them. This commitment gives their work direction and purpose.
Optimism: They maintain a positive outlook even in the face of setbacks, believing in their ability to overcome challenges. Optimism fuels perseverance and helps maintain focus during difficult times.
Initiative: They proactively seek out opportunities and go beyond what is required to achieve their objectives. Taking initiative fosters growth, builds confidence, and creates new possibilities for success.
These traits contribute to a strong work ethic and a culture of continuous improvement, benefiting both individuals and organizations.
To apply these principles in your daily work, try the following strategies.
Set Meaningful Goals: Identify what drives you and create goals that align with your values and aspirations. Having a clear purpose keeps you focused and engaged.
Practice a Growth Mindset: View challenges as opportunities to learn and improve rather than as obstacles. Mistakes and setbacks are part of progress.
Stay Engaged: Find ways to connect with your work, whether through collaboration, problem-solving, or professional development. Motivation grows when you see purpose in what you do.
Encourage Others: Motivation is contagious. Support and uplift your colleagues by recognizing their efforts and celebrating successes. A motivated team is a stronger team.
Emotional Intelligence is not just a tool for improving your interactions with others. It is a foundational skill for managing stress, making sound decisions, and achieving success. At the Morgan County Probate Office, where professionalism and empathy go hand in hand, developing a strong EQ helps create a more positive, productive, and respectful workplace.
As we continue learning about EQ, our next focus is on empathy. This key component of Emotional Intelligence allows us to truly understand and connect with others. Strengthening empathy will improve our interactions, help resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships in both work and life.
Reflection Questions:
How could improving your EQ help you manage stress and conflicts more effectively?
What strategies can you use to encourage self-motivation?
What challenges might you face in developing your EQ, and how can you overcome them?
Think about a recent situation where higher EQ could have made a difference. How would you handle it differently now?
Expand your understanding of the importance of Emotional Intelligence with the following resources. Use this opportunity to refine your leadership skills and navigate challenges with the care and professionalism that define The MCPO Way.
Strategies to Become More Emotional Intelligent
Daniel Goleman (10:31)
4 Ways to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence
Farah Harris
The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence (3:24)
1. Bardzill P, Slaski M. Emotional intelligence: Fundamental competencies for enhanced service provision. Manag Serv Qual. 2003;13:97–104. [Google Scholar]
2. Welch J. The best teams are emotionally literate. Ind Commer Train. 2003;35:168–71. [Google Scholar]
3. Turner L. Emotional Intelligence-our intangible assets. Chart Account J N Z. 2004;83:29–31. [Google Scholar]
4. Vakola M, Tsaousis I, Nikolaou I. The role of emotional intelligence and personality variables on attitudes toward organizational change. J Manage Psychol. 2004;19:88–110. [Google Scholar])