November 5, 2019,

The Department of Internships and Career Development in collaboration with the School of Arts and Sciences held an Emotional Intelligence workshop for students at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK).

Emotional Intelligence or Emotional Quotient (EQ) is commonly seen as the main factor for future success in workplaces. Studies indicate that 60% of larger global companies have EQ in their employment pre-screening tests and process.

The workshop explored the indicators of low and high EQ as well as the steps to become smarter with our emotions. Students were given a self-assessment exercise to fill in to discover their social style, whether they are analytical, amiable, expressive, or a driver.

The presenter, Ms. Gulbahor Amirova, Instructor of English, School of Arts and Science, stressed that everyone can learn to be emotionally intelligent.

She explained that Emotional Intelligence is not about being nice all the time but about being honest. It was also made clear that Emotional Intelligence is not about being “touchy feely” but about being aware of your feelings and those of other people. Emotional Intelligence concerns being smart with your emotions not being emotional.

Psychologists say that IQ accounts for about 10% – or 25% at most – of success and the rest depends on everything else, including emotional intelligence, the presenter said.

Research by the Carnegie Institute of Technology showed that 85% of your financial success is due to skills in “human engineering”, your personality and ability to communicate, negotiate and lead. Only 15% is due to technical knowledge, the research showed.

IQ was likened to the tip of an iceberg, whereas EQ was compared with the huge majority of the iceberg that sits under the water.

The importance of EQ was emphasized with the quote: “People don’t remember what you say, or what you do. People remember how you made them feel.”