Most of us are familiar with the value of IQ, or Intelligence Quotient. But, what about EQ, or Emotional Quotient, and why do some see at it as more important than IQ?
For one graduate of the University of Manitoba’s School of Medicine, developing Emotional Intelligence (EI) is critical to the success of an individual or a corporation.
Dr. Howard Book is a psychiatrist, organizational consultant and expert in the field of Emotional Intelligence.
EI is the ability to monitor one’s own and other people’s emotions, to distinguish between different emotions, and to use this information in one’s thinking and behaviour.
People with high EI seem to have greater mental health, better leadership skills and exemplary job performance. This could explain why markers of EI, and methods of developing it, have become more widely coveted in the past few decades.
Currently, Dr. Book consults with mid- and large-size multi-national corporations, helping those working in these organizations to sharpen their Emotional Intelligence skills.
A higher level of EI competence allows people to better address, identify and resolve unarticulated concerns, hidden conflicts, and unspoken issues that constrain the organization from achieving its objectives and hinder senior executives from attaining their professional goals.
In particular, Dr. Book coaches senior executives in enhancing those EI components that are crucial for successful role functioning. He has also offered seminars and workshops on EI to branches of the provincial and federal governments, financial institutions, and legal and accounting firms.
Dr. Book’s current research interests centre on evaluating the link between particular personality styles and specific EQ profiles, and the value of EQ profiles in predicting which medical trainees are highly competent in delivering psychotherapy.
Dr. Book recently co-authored a book entitled, ‘The EQ Edge,’ which examines the study of emotional intelligence and how the field has grown and developed over the years. It’s a fascinating look at how people become successful by developing their EQ in addition to their IQ.
Dr. Book holds the rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is also a part-time Guest Faculty at the INSEAD School of Management in Fontainebleau, France, and a past board member of the International Society for the Psychoanalytic Study of Organizations.
Recently, CKUW 95.9 FM interviewed Dr. Howard Book about this cutting edge field of intelligence and it’s value to individuals, companies and society at large.
