EQ can be applied to anyone. Basically, all humans can do it.
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500 business leaders and asked them what sets great employees apart. The researchers wanted to know why some people are more successful than others at work, and the answers were surprising, they chose personality as the leading reason. Personality is distinct from intellect (or IQ). The two don’t occur together in any meaningful way. Personality is also distinct from emotional intelligence (or EQ), and this is where the study, and most leaders for that matter, have misinterpreted the term.
Leaders don’t need to go searching for these skills either, their duty is to help everyone on their team harness these skills to become exceptional. Just consider some of the EQ skills that leaders and managers commonly mislabel as personality characteristics. These are the skills that set exceptional employees apart.
1. They Can Tolerate Conflict
While exceptional employees don’t seek conflict, they don’t run away from it either. They’re able to maintain their composure while presenting their positions calmly and logically. They’re able to withstand personal attacks in pursuit of the greater goal and never use that tactic themselves.
While exceptional employees don’t seek conflict, they don’t run away from it either. They’re able to maintain their composure while presenting their positions calmly and logically. They’re able to withstand personal attacks in pursuit of the greater goal and never use that tactic themselves.
2. They Focus
Student pilots are often told, “When things start going wrong, don’t forget to fly the plane.” Plane crashes have resulted from pilots concentrating so hard on identifying the problem that they flew the plane into the ground.
Student pilots are often told, “When things start going wrong, don’t forget to fly the plane.” Plane crashes have resulted from pilots concentrating so hard on identifying the problem that they flew the plane into the ground.
They don’t get distracted by cranky customers, interoffice squabbles, or switch to a different brand of coffee. They can differentiate between real problems and background noise, therefore, they stay focused on what matters.
3. They’re Judiciously Courageous
Exceptional employees are willing to speak up when others are not, whether it’s to ask a difficult or embarrassingly simple question or to challenge an executive decision. However, that’s balanced with common sense and timing. They think before they speak and wisely choose the best time and place to do so.
Exceptional employees are willing to speak up when others are not, whether it’s to ask a difficult or embarrassingly simple question or to challenge an executive decision. However, that’s balanced with common sense and timing. They think before they speak and wisely choose the best time and place to do so.
4. They’re in Control of Their Egos
Exceptional employees have egos. While that’s part of what drives them, they never give their egos more weight than what is deserved. They’re willing to admit when they’re wrong and willing to do things someone else’s way, whether it’s because the other way is better or it’s important to maintain team harmony.
Exceptional employees have egos. While that’s part of what drives them, they never give their egos more weight than what is deserved. They’re willing to admit when they’re wrong and willing to do things someone else’s way, whether it’s because the other way is better or it’s important to maintain team harmony.
Photo by Lucrezia Carnelos on Unsplash
5. They’re Never Satisfied
Exceptional employees have unparalleled convictions that things can always be better and they’re right. No one is ever done growing, and there is no such thing as good enough when it comes to personal improvement. No matter how well things are going, exceptional employees are driven to improve, without forgetting to give themselves a healthy pat on the back.
Exceptional employees have unparalleled convictions that things can always be better and they’re right. No one is ever done growing, and there is no such thing as good enough when it comes to personal improvement. No matter how well things are going, exceptional employees are driven to improve, without forgetting to give themselves a healthy pat on the back.
6. They Recognize When Things are Broken and Fix Them
Whether it’s a sticky desk drawer or an inefficient, wasteful process affecting the cash flow of the entire department, exceptional employees don’t walk past problems. They see problems as issues to be fixed immediately.
Whether it’s a sticky desk drawer or an inefficient, wasteful process affecting the cash flow of the entire department, exceptional employees don’t walk past problems. They see problems as issues to be fixed immediately.
7. They’re Accountable
If you’re a manager trying to decipher a bungled report, “It’s not my fault” is the most irritating phrase. Exceptional employees are accountable. They own their work, their decisions, and all of their results-good or bad. They bring their mistakes to management’s attention rather than hoping no one will find out. They understand that managers aren’t out to assign blame; they’re out to get things done.
If you’re a manager trying to decipher a bungled report, “It’s not my fault” is the most irritating phrase. Exceptional employees are accountable. They own their work, their decisions, and all of their results-good or bad. They bring their mistakes to management’s attention rather than hoping no one will find out. They understand that managers aren’t out to assign blame; they’re out to get things done.
8. They’re "Marketable"
“Marketable” can mean many things. Inside the organization, it means “likable.” Exceptional employees are well-liked by co-workers. They have integrity and leadership skills (even if they’re not in an official leadership position) that people respond to. Externally, it means they can be trusted to represent the brand well. Managers know they can send these employees out to meet with clients and prospects without worrying about what they’ll say or do.
“Marketable” can mean many things. Inside the organization, it means “likable.” Exceptional employees are well-liked by co-workers. They have integrity and leadership skills (even if they’re not in an official leadership position) that people respond to. Externally, it means they can be trusted to represent the brand well. Managers know they can send these employees out to meet with clients and prospects without worrying about what they’ll say or do.