IQ vs. EQ: Which Holds the Key to Life Success?

As an education coach, parents frequently ask me: “Which is more important for my child’s future success —IQ or EQ?”

This inquiry prompts me to pause, drawing upon my background in leadership development, where I have worked closely with solid executives who have evolved into accomplished business leaders. In addressing this query, I view it from a comprehensive, long-term perspective, recognizing that life achievements result from a multifaceted interplay of factors.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Emotional Quotient (EQ) play roles in overall success, health, wellness, and happiness. It is not assigning dominance to one over the other but rather acknowledging the value inherent in nurturing proficiency across multiple domains. This stance aligns with the ethos of numerous American universities, which embrace well-rounded individuals, exemplifying scholarly excellence and exhibiting leadership acumen in their passions and dedicated involvement in community service.

What is IQ vs. EQ?      

IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a measure of cognitive ability and intellectual potential. It gauges reasoning, problem-solving, and learning aptitude. IQ tests compare an individual’s performance with others of the same age, offering insight into their intellectual strengths and areas for development. This number shares how far above or below their peer group people stand in intellectual ability. In all cases, the peer group’s average score or average IQ is 100.

Those who are geniuses have a very high IQ. Experts believe that Albert Einstein had an IQ of between 160 and 180.

People with a score of at least 140 are considered to be geniuses.

IQ demonstrates abilities such as:

• Logical reasoning
• Knowledge of the world
• Visual and spatial processing
• Working memory and short-term memory
• Quantitative reasoning

EQ, Emotional Quotient, refers to a person’s ability to evaluate, manage and express emotions. Researchers such as John Mayer and Peter Salovey and psychologist/author Daniel Goleman have espoused emotional intelligence, catapulting the concept in education and business management.   

EQ demonstrates abilities such as:

• Identifying emotions
• Evaluating how others feel
• Managing one’s own emotions
• Empathizing with others
• Leveraging emotions to facilitate communications

In the past, IQ was considered the only determinant of success. The assumption was that high-IQ individuals were destined for accomplished lives. Yet critics began to realize that a high IQ does not guarantee life success.

IQ is a narrow concept that must fully appreciate human abilities’ breadth and complexity. That said, IQ is still recognized as a vital element of success, particularly regarding academic achievement. But today, experts acknowledge that IQ is not the only variable that determines life success.                                            

Since Goleman mainstreamed emotional intelligence, the importance of it has become widely validated – especially in the business world. “While the question of which is more important, IQ or EQ, is often asked, the answer is quite complex and not particularly helpful. It is like asking which is more important, the heart or the lungs. They are both important, and the more relevant question might be, how they are important and, to what degree are they connected to each other?” (1)

Goleman shares that IQ may help us get the job from a technical competency level, but our EQ helps us advance throughout our careers. As we progress, our tasks shift us from participant to leader. In a leadership role, we must connect with others to accomplish goals. Nobel prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman believes that we buy from people we trust and may even pay more for the psychological safety of working with someone we trust. Studies on the success of salespeople have validated this. Much of our success comes from an authentic ability to connect with others.

Can EQ be learned? Absolutely.  

“Strategies for teaching emotional intelligence include character education, modeling positive behaviors, encouraging people to think about how others are feeling, and finding ways to be more empathetic toward others.” (2)  

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in children is paramount for their holistic growth and future success, spanning personal and professional realms. As parents, you play a pivotal role in shaping your children’s emotional development. Here are some tips on fostering EQ:

Leading by Example: Children glean valuable insights from your actions and reactions. Showcase emotional intelligence by managing emotions constructively, embodying empathy, understanding, and effective communication.

Facilitating Open Dialogue: Foster an atmosphere where your child feels safe expressing their emotions. Please encourage them to share their feelings openly, without judgment or criticism.

Active Listening Skills: Instill the significance of active listening by genuinely engaging with their thoughts. This fosters their understanding that their emotions and ideas are essential.

Nurturing Empathy: Cultivating empathy in your child involves promoting an understanding of others’ emotions and viewpoints. However, the most influential method is to exemplify empathy by genuinely attempting to comprehend your child’s perspective—stepping into their shoes and appreciating their point of view.

In summary, IQ and EQ intricately contribute to overall success, nurturing both life accomplishments and holistic well-being. Rather than comparing, the value lies in cultivating balanced proficiency across both. As we prepare our children for life’s challenges, research, and experience demonstrate that cultivating both dimensions equips them for a world that demands multifaceted skills and empathetic leadership.

1. Deutschendorf H. Is IQ or EQ more important in determining your success at work? Fast Company; 2020.
2. Cherry K. Is IQ or EQ More Important? Verywellmind; 2020.  

Margie, an Education Coach, merges leadership coaching and marketing expertise to steer students through college applications and life. Contact her at margiechiang@126.com.