IQ Gets You In the Room. EQ Gets You the Room.
Most people still believe the smartest person in the room should lead.
They’re wrong.
IQ can help you pass exams, solve technical problems, or ace a logic puzzle on a whiteboard. Those skills matter, but they’re not what make someone a great leader.
According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, who popularized the concept of emotional intelligence (EQ), the people who rise the highest and lead the most effectively aren’t the ones with the sharpest intellect. They’re the ones with the strongest ability to connect with others.
Leadership isn’t about knowing more. It’s about connecting better.
Why EQ Matters More Than IQ
No one wants to follow the smartest person in the room if that person lacks self-awareness, burns out their team, or shuts down when challenged.
IQ might land you the role. EQ determines whether people actually want to follow you.
The leaders who get remembered, admired, and trusted aren’t always the ones with the most answers. They’re the ones who can:
Read a room.
Regulate their emotions.
Build trust and safety.
Inspire others to give their best.
That’s the real measure of leadership.
The Best Part: EQ Can Be Developed
IQ is relatively fixed. Emotional intelligence is not.
Through coaching, practice, and reflection, high-achieving leaders can strengthen their EQ just like they would build a muscle. And when they do, everything shifts—team performance, relationships, culture, and even personal well-being.
That’s why I focus my work on helping brilliant, driven leaders grow beyond performance into high-impact leadership. When you pair intellect with emotional intelligence, the results are extraordinary.
Final Thought
Great leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about being the most connected, the most aware, and the most trusted.
If you’re ready to make that shift—from high-performer to high-impact leader, this is the work that unlocks it.
