Do They Have the Smarts that Count?: Emotional intelligence and career success among the highly intelligent.

The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between emotional intelligence (EI) and career success in a population with an intelligence quotient (IQ) in the ninety-fifth percentile. This study used an online survey to measure career success and an online test to measure emotional intelligence among a sample with IQs in the ninety-fifth percentile. Career success was measured with both objective and subjective questions. The subjective measure used was a five question five-point scale developed by Greenhaus, Parasuraman, and Wormley (1990). To measure emotional intelligence this study used the MayerSalovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), a performance based emotional intelligence test. This study asked: what is the distribution of emotional intelligence scores for a population with high intelligence quotients and what is the relationship between emotional intelligence and career success? It was found that the high IQ participants had lower emotional intelligence scores than the norm but were able to feel and be successful in their careers. This study demonstrates the need for further research into the relationship between IQ and emotional intelligence, particularly in regard to career success. In lieu of further research human resource development professionals must use caution when making decisions when emotional intelligence is a consideration