EQ vs. IQ: Which One Matters More?

We’ve all heard of IQ–who hasn’t gone online and taken an IQ test, or met someone extremely smart and successful and wondered what their IQ is?

You may have seen or heard the term EQ and wondered if it’s related to IQ. In a way it is, as it is also a measure of intelligence, but EQ is a measure of emotional intelligence. Keep reading to find out the difference between the two terms and see which one wins in the EQ vs. IQ battle.

What are EQ and IQ?

Before we get into the difference between emotional quotient (EQ) and intelligence quotient (IQ), let’s start with some definitions:

Intelligence quotient (IQ)

IQ, which stands for “intelligence quotient,” is a measure of a person’s cognitive ability. This includes the ability to think logically, understand and assimilate new information, and solve problems, among other technical and analytical skills. Skills measured by IQ include the following:

• Short-term and long-term memory
• Critical thinking
• Logic
• Spatial abilities
• Abstract thinking

While IQ was once seen as the standard measure of intelligence, research has since shown that it is only one piece of the intelligence puzzle.

Emotional quotient (EQ)

EQ, which stands for “emotional quotient,” is a newer idea than IQ, but it has rapidly gained recognition as an essential predictor of performance and success. Also known as emotional intelligence, EQ is a measure of your ability to perceive and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. It is made up of four core skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.

• Self-awareness is the ability to accurately perceive and stay aware of your emotions as they happen.
• Self-management is the ability to use that awareness of your emotions to remain flexible and direct your behavior positively in light of those emotions.
• Social awareness is the ability to accurately perceive and understand other people’s emotions.
• Relationship management is the ability to use awareness of both your and others’ emotions to successfully manage interpersonal interactions and relationships. 

Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence is a skill that can be developed over time with awareness and practice, and it is a strong predictor of both professional and social success.

Difference Between EQ and IQ

Now that we know what IQ and EQ are, what is the difference between emotional quotient and intelligence quotient?

Different skills are measured.

In its essence, IQ boils down to your intellectual ability to learn. It measures cognitive ability and academic problem-solving skills, or what most people would associate with the word “intelligence.” EQ, however, focuses on emotional and interpersonal skills, which are not always correlated with IQ. The skills required to recognize and manage your own and other people’s emotions have little overlap with the intellectual skills measured by IQ.

One is independent; the other is complementary.

Measure of IQ is highly individual–your IQ has nothing to do with the way you interact with others. Measure of EQ, on the other hand, is highly relational, predicting how successful your relationships with others will be based on how you handle your and others’ emotions.

Different benefits come from each.

Having a high IQ can greatly benefit individuals at work by enhancing their problem-solving, strategic thinking, and ability to learn complex concepts quickly. It is particularly valuable in roles that require technical mastery, innovation, and the ability to analyze and synthesize large amounts of information. However, IQ is most impactful when paired with emotional intelligence (EQ), which ensures strong interpersonal and leadership skills to complement cognitive abilities. EQ also helps individuals navigate workplace dynamics, build trust, and foster collaboration, which are essential for achieving long-term success.

How are EQ and IQ Measured?

Tests that measure IQ have been around for decades. IQ is measured by standardized tests that were initially designed in the early 20th century to predict academic and intellectual potential. At first, IQ was calculated by dividing a person’s mental age (determined by the test) by their chronological age, hence the word “quotient.” Now it is more often calculated by comparing test scores against those of others in the same age group, resulting in a bell curve. It is believed that IQ is highly heritable and unlikely to change much over time, especially once you hit adulthood.

Emotional intelligence can be measured as well, and like IQ, there are EQ tests you can take to figure out what your EQ score is. Some assessments rely on self-reporting from the individual taking it, while others use feedback from coworkers and peers as well. Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence can be learned, and there are concrete steps you can take to improve your EQ.

Emotional Quotient vs. Intelligence Quotient: Which is More Important for Success?

We’ve been conditioned to think that intellect is the biggest driver of success in our society. Children are praised for their academic achievements, and Ivy League graduates are seen as the inevitable future leaders of their generation.

The only issue with this idea is that according to research, it’s wrong. Yes, intelligence in the traditional sense is a predictor of success–smart, capable people often excel in their careers, and some research even hints that people with higher IQ live longer.

But when it comes to predictors of professional and social success, EQ is gaining on IQ in opinions of what leads to success. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report states that qualities related to emotional intelligence such as curiosity, motivation, resilience, flexibility, and self-awareness are some of the top qualities employers look for in employees. Leaders, in particular, benefit greatly from emotional intelligence, as it affects the way they interact with the people around them and how successful they are at managing those people.

In a survey conducted on behalf of CareerBuilder, 59% of US hiring managers said they would not hire someone with a high IQ and a low EQ, and 75% said they would promote a candidate with high EQ over a candidate with high IQ. So, while technical competency and intelligence are still important, employers are placing more weight on skills like remaining calm under pressure, conflict resolution, empathy, leading by example, and thoughtfulness in decision-making. In fact, Forbes Magazine listed emotional intelligence as the top leadership skill of 2024.

Ready to Find Out Your EQ?

If this leaves you wondering what your EQ is and how to improve it, TalentSmartEQ has the leading assessment for emotional intelligence measurement and development, completed by more than 2 million people across the globe. Start by taking one of our research-backed EQ assessments to get an accurate measure of your current EQ.

Our Emotional Intelligence Appraisal – Self Edition measures your overall EQ score and identifies strengths and areas of opportunity across the 4 core EQ skills and 28 specific behaviors. Our Multi-Rater and 360° Editions provide valuable feedback on how you are perceived by others and identifies gaps between your self-perception and the perceptions of your boss, colleagues, direct reports, and others to help you prioritize key areas to develop.

If you are interested in bringing EQ training into your workplace, we have a range of EQ solutions, trainer certification programs, coaching, and  other resources for any group, team, or company looking to harness the power of EQ. It’s never too late to improve your emotional intelligence. Why not start now?

By Dr. Maggie Sass, Executive Vice President of Applied Research for TalentSmartEQ. For more information, please check out additional resources.