Researchers have long been puzzled by the fact that while IQ could predict to a significant degree academic performance, a lot of people with fabulous IQ scores were doing poorly in their careers. It turns out that IQ, by itself, is not a very good predictor of job performance. Research performed by Hunter and Hunter (1984) and Sternberg (1996) estimated that IQ accounts for only about 10 to 25 percent of career success.
In his ground breaking book, “Emotional Intelligence”, Daniel Goleman makes the case for emotional intelligence being the strongest indicator of career success. Emotional Intelligence is the ability to manage one’s emotions and impulses, but also the ability to inhabit someone’s psychological frame of mind, recognize subtle social signals that indicate what others need or want, and adjust your actions accordingly.
Emotional intelligence came naturally to David Novak, former CEO of Pepsico/KFC. While relating his experiences on the way to the top, Novak says he learned early in his career the importance of being passionate about the people in the company. Novak’s leadership philosophy is about people: pro-actively asking for feedback, sensing their emotions and needs, and developing an in-depth understanding of their perspectives. Novak was able to connect emotionally with employees, and get in their skins to motivate them like no one else could.
David Novak wrote in his book "“Getting people excited about what they’re doing, making them feel part of the team and taking them along for the ride of their lives are the things I do best”
Novak's "Education of an Accidental CEO" is an excellent book I recommend if you want to learn more about emotionally intelligent leaders:
http://www.amazon.com/Education-Accidental-CEO-Lessons-Learned/dp/0307393690
Although Novak doesn't address the topic of emotional intelligence explicitely, he clearly demonstrated the key values of an emotionally intelligent leader.
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