Google has too many Spock’s, not enough Captain Kirk’s
Ken Auletta has just published his latest book, ‘Googled: The End of the World as We Know It’. His conclusion? Google lacks ‘Emotional Intelligence’! It is a company he opines, driven by logic, a Spock of a business lacking the heart of Captain James T. Kirk. It’s an interesting and fun concept that got me thinking about other TV character-Company tie in’s, Microsoft as the Soprano’s with Ballmer as Tony (but I just can’t see Ray Ozzie as Carmella)? Larry Ellison as Dexter? AIG CEO Robert Benmosche as Darth Vader with Wall Street as his Death Star?
However, I digress. The thing that really caught my attention was Auletta’s use of Emotional Intelligence (EQ). I have to say I am so tired of EQ. It’s a strange position to be in as a psychologist, coming out against feelings, or learning more about our emotional world, but what started as an important concept has now become snake-oil for the new millennia. There are EQ clinics, EQ coaching, workbooks and certificates. My concern is that the promise of EQ is way overstated and it is eclipsing the importance of thinking and logic. Contrary to popular opinion our brains are wired for emotion not thought, and despite the attention given to EQ we are, as a population becoming more emotionally reactive, feeling more and thinking less. I’m so frustrated about the misuse of the term I’m making IQ and EQ the subject of my next book.
EQ is not a substitute or replacement for IQ. It is another form of intelligence and forms part of a ‘portfolio’ of multiple intelligences. John Mayer and Peter Salovey, the originators of the term ‘Emotional Intelligence’ share my concern. They comment, “we agree with many of our colleagues who have noted that the term emotional intelligence is now employed to cover too many things – too many different traits, too many different concepts.”
To be successful in business, in life and in relationships requires a combination of intelligences. I have no problem with Google’s cerebral approach; they are, for me, the eye in a storm of expressed emotion. Maybe we need more Spock’s and fewer Kirk’s, and next time someone says you lack emotional intelligence, ask them to think about what they really mean.
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Hello,
I have been working with the pioneers of the ability based model of emotional intelligence. Truly, what Peter Salovey of Yale and John Mayer of University of New Hampshire have discovered is unique and adds much to our ability to undersand ourselves and others. However, I absolutely agree with your view about what has happened in the field. I have struggled to gain agreement on a universal definition based on Salovey and Mayer's work. Essentially I believe Emotional Intelligence is the ability to identify, use, understand and manage emotions and emotional relationships.
I have used the Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) in my work with individuals and organizations and I have found it to be enormously helpful in helping others to learn how to become more emotionally intelligent. I have created The Emotion Roadmap as a tool that applies the ability based model in a concrete and practical way. I actually will be going on the radio as a talk show host on WPKN which can be heard over the internet on FM in NY and CT on December 26 from 4-6 PM to talk about my Emotion Roadmap and to answer people's questions on the air. I hope you listen to the show or view my website or blog which can be found at http://www.cjwolfe.com.
Do not give up on EI there is a real valuable science out there amidst all the other stuff that masquerades as EI.
Warm regards,
Chuck Wolfe