Many entrepreneurs have left ABC's venture-capital reality show Shark Tank empty-handed for not knowing their numbers. According to New York-based personal, professional, and business development company Conscious Enterprise Inc., entrepreneurs and entrepreneurially minded professionals who aim to accelerate their success should also know another number: their emotional intelligence (EQ) score.
The emotional equivalent of IQ, but a greater predictor of success, EQ is the ability to acquire and apply emotional, social, and interpersonal knowledge and skills. As a result, the emotionally intelligent entrepreneur or professional has greater awareness and understanding of how to deal with emotions, self, others, the unexpected, and adversity.
There are multiple dimensions of EQ, including emotional self-awareness, empathy, and emotional decision-making, for example. There is a correlation between how well one scores on those dimensions and manages related aspects of their personal or professional lives, including stress. People with higher EQ overall tend to outperform peers trained on the same skill sets, including sales, leadership, and communication. They also tend to be more confident, better problem solvers, and have a better work/life balance. EQ training and development may also significantly help Black entrepreneurs and professionals to navigate some of their unique challenges.
Test Your EQ
To measure your EQ, take the free EQ test (FreeEQTest.com) from Conscious Enterprise. It is a scientifically validated assessment that measures eight dimensions of emotional intelligence. Your scoring results reveal how strengths and vulnerabilities in your emotional intelligence potentially impact your personal and professional success. Team or family members looking to improve as a unit are encouraged to take the test and discuss the possible implications of their results.