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Why Choosing the Right EQ Model Matters - Preparing for CodeMash

  • Writer: kundlasarah
    kundlasarah
  • 5 days ago
  • 2 min read
ATTENDED MY CODEMASH SESSION? CLICK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE EQ ROADMAP:


I'm deep in prep mode for my CodeMash conference session and have been reflecting on the research done for this upcoming talk. We've been talking about emotional intelligence for decades, but many have little insight behind why they choose between one EQ framework or another.



What Most Fail to Consider with EQ


Organizations spent over $101 billion on training and development in 2023, with a huge portion going toward emotional intelligence. Yet according to Gallup, employee engagement just hit a 10-year low.


It's not that EQ training doesn't work. Some programs show massive improvements. Others show almost nothing. The difference here is they're not measuring the same thing.


Three dominant EQ models being used in the workplace today include:


  • Mayer-Salovey's Four-Branch Ability Model (treats EQ as cognitive skills)

  • Bar-On's EQ-i 2.0 Mixed Model (15 competencies spanning personality and social skills)

  • Goleman's Workplace Competency Model (performance-based emotional skills for leadership)


Same goal, three completely different approaches. Many teams are using one without understanding whether it's the right fit for their challenge.


What I'm Learning While Building This Talk


The model you choose should match the problem you're solving.


If you're helping a team member deliver feedback more effectively, you need targeted ability-based training. That's Mayer-Salovey.


If you're dealing with organizational burnout and rebuilding resilience, you'd want the breadth of Bar-On's model.


If you're developing managers who need observable leadership skills, Goleman's framework gives you that kind of structure.


Different tools for different jobs. The question is: how can people learn to choose the right one for themselves?


The Resource I'm Sharing


I've created an EQ Roadmap resource that helps solve for this. It provides an overview of the three common frameworks and walks you through selecting a focus area, defining behaviors, practice support systems, and measuring results that fit your situation.


[If you attended my session at CodeMash, download it at the top of this post. If you're reading this before the conference, bookmark this page!]


What's Next


I'm hoping people leave this session with clarity on how to choose the right EQ framework and a concrete plan for getting started with it.


If you're at CodeMash and want to chat about EQ development or team dynamics, let's link up. If you're not attending but are interested in this topic, connect with me on LinkedIn.


One last thought: Dr. Travis Bradberry, co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, cited a 2023 study showing that humans experience approximately 400 emotions each day on average.


If you could show up better that many times in a day, would you? What's keeping you?


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