Originally coined by two US psychologists, Peter Salovey and John Mayers, Emotional Intelligence refers to a learned ability to perceive, understand and express our feelings accurately and to control our emotions so that they work for us, not against us. Studies have shown it is a combination of particular personal and interpersonal skills that makes the difference.
A pioneer study undertaken by Manila University in association with Reuven BarOn, the designer of the EQ-i, the first scientifically validated Emotional Quotient (EQ) test, showed that EQ accounted for 27% of the job success of front line bank employees, whereas IQ scores were shown to account for less than 6%.