EQ FOR GOOD, OR FOR EVIL? THE RESEARCH SAYS ?GOOD? ALL THE WAY?

Critics of EQ like to make the claim that people high in emotional intelligence can use their social skills in manipulative or inauthentic ways. But, what does the research say? Do emotionally intelligent people manipulate the way critics say they will?

No. In fact, they do the exact opposite. In a review looking at EQ and organizational citizenship behavior with over 16,000 people, researchers found that:

  • Higher EQ is related to greater organizational citizenship behavior.
  • Lower EQ is related to counterproductive work behavior.