What is more important in determining life success—'book smarts’ or ‘street smarts’?
This question takes us to the heart of an important debate contrasting the importance of cognitive intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ). Advocates of the so-called 'book smarts' might suggest that it is our IQ that plays the critical role in determining how well people succeed in life.
Those who advocate for the importance of what might be called 'street smarts' would instead suggest that EQ is even more important.
So, which is it?
What’s the difference between IQ and EQ?
IQ or Intelligence Quotient, is a number derived from a standardised intelligence test.
IQ represents abilities such as:
Visual and spatial processing
Knowledge of the world
Fluid reasoning
Working memory and short-term memory
Quantitative reasoning
EQ or Emotional Quotient, on the other hand, is a measure of a person's level of emotional intelligence. This refers to a person's ability to perceive, control, evaluate and express their emotions.
EQ focuses on abilities such as:
Identifying emotions
Evaluating how others feel
Controlling one's own emotions
Perceiving how others feel
Using emotions to facilitate social communication
So, which is more important?
At one point in time, IQ was viewed as the primary element of success. People with high IQs were assumed to be destined for a life of accomplishment and achievement. Researchers debated whether intelligence was the product of genes or the environment (the old nature versus nurture debate). However, some critics began to realise that not only was high intelligence no guarantee for success in life, it was also perhaps too narrow a concept to fully comprehend the wide range of human abilities and knowledge.
IQ is still often recognised as an important element of success, particularly when it comes to academic achievement. Nowadays, however, experts recognise it is not the only factor of life success. Instead, it is a part of a complex array of factors that includes emotional intelligence among other things.
The concept of EQ has had a strong impact in a number of areas, including the business world. Many companies have started incorporating EQ training and utilising EQ tests as part of the recruitment process. Research has also found that individuals with strong leadership potential also tend to be more emotionally intelligent, suggesting that a high EQ is an important quality for business leaders and managers to have.
EQ should be seen as a model of well-being and high performance, based on knowing yourself, connecting with others, handling stressful situations and making better decisions. It is also about understanding what makes you feel good, rather than just what you are good at. So, it should not be confused with competency and ability.
In essence, there are many forms of intelligence. At school we are made to think that there is just one: academic IQ and if you do not have that, you are then ‘not intelligent’. Ideally, there should be a balance between IQ and EQ.
Finding the right balance is crucial. IQ and EQ are not conflicting interests or mutually exclusive concepts – rather, they should work hand-in-hand to provide a holistic view of how someone will perform. The reason for this is because both play vastly different roles in the human psyche. Whilst IQ can determine how well an individual may succeed in their life academically, EQ is seen to be a better indicator of their people skills and whether they can accurately perceive, manage and react to the emotions of themselves and others.
IQ = Growth Orientated
EQ = Development Oriented
‘Balance between our growth and development is necessity’
_ Narendra Modi
Here are some ways to develop your IQ:
Puzzles such as, Sudoku, crosswords, Candy Crush, Solitaire, Heads Up, 30 Seconds etc.
Do everyday things differently. Challenge your brain to form new connections and pathways by doing the things you normally do on ‘autopilot’ differently. Such as, brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand. Walk around as if you are going backwards through time. Talk to yourself in a different language. Whatever you can do to mix it up, do it!
Consider taking natural ‘supplements’. However, always check with your doctor whether these supplements are correct for you. Natural supplements include: caffeine, Ginkgo Biloba, Omega-3 fatty acids which can be found in oily fish e.g. Tuna.
Read more. Genetics aside, education is a big factor contributing to your IQ. Try reading up on the sciences, such as mathematics and physics. Sciences increases your understanding of the world, which in turn can improve comprehension, vocabulary, spatial and mathematical abilities, as well as logic.
Here are some ways to develop your EQ:
Do not interrupt or change the subject. If feelings are uncomfortable, we may want to avoid them by interrupting or distracting ourselves. Sit down at least twice a day and ask, “How am I feeling?” It may take a little time for the feelings to arise. Allow yourself that small space of uninterrupted time.
Do not judge or edit your feelings too quickly. Try not to dismiss your feelings before you have a chance to think about them. Healthy emotions often rise and fall in a wave, rising, peaking, and fading naturally. Your aim should be not to cut off the wave before it peaks.
Connect your feelings with your thoughts. When you feel something strike you that is out of the ordinary, it is always useful to ask yourself, “What do I think about that?” Often, one of our feelings will contradict others. That is normal. Listening to your feelings is like listening to all the witnesses in a court case. Only by viewing all the evidence, will you be able to reach the best decision.
Listen to your body. A knot in your stomach while driving to work may be a clue that your job is a source of stress. A flutter of the heart when you pick up a girl you have just started to date may be a clue that this could be “the real thing.” Listening to these sensations and the underlying feelings that they signal will allow you to process this feeling with your ability to reason.
Write thoughts and feelings down. Research has shown that writing down your thoughts and feelings can help greatly. A simple exercise like this could take only a few hours per week.
