What Is The Best Emotional Intelligence Test?

Established figures in the Emotional Intelligence and Organisational Development arena such as Daniel Goleman, Travis Bradberry and several others have produced and promote their own suite of Emotional Intelligence Assessments. Each has its merits. Neither though has been tested, updated and normed nearly as much as the EQ-i 2.0 psychometric assessment. And this is why my corporate coaching company, Summit Training, and I through Mr Emotional Intelligence, chose and use the EQ-i 2.0 and EQ 360 psychometric tools rather than any other option.

The EQ-i 2.0 Model is shown below in the graphic. As you will see, there are 15 specific competencies within the EQ-i 2.0 Model, each of the five Composite Areas possessing three specific EQ Competencies. Whilst each competency on its own is unique, what is different about the EQ-i 2.0 Model is that it explores how each individual competency links with the fourteen other competencies. Alongside this, identifying the potential benefits of 'High' or 'Low' scores for each individual competence is one of the most valuable aspects of this assessment tool.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of High and Low EQ Scores

Even today, many individuals espousing the value of Emotional Intelligence, continue to state "The more Self Awareness you possess, the better your life will be." In isolation, this comment may have some level of accuracy. Of course, a higher level of Self Awareness (where you can begin to notice what is happening with you on the inside - how you view a situation, how you respond to a situation, or communicate with others) is far more healthy than a low level of Self Awareness. With low Self Awareness the risks include an individual moving from 'normal functioning' to a blazing anger without notice or awareness of how and why this is occurring, and becoming increasingly stressed and anxious, but not being aware of the increasing stress or anxiety, and therefore unable to develop a coping strategy to effectively manage the internal emotional climate or impact on self and possibly others.

Emotional Intelligence Test Results

Below is an actual Emotional Intelligence Assessment Report results page for a client. Notice how the overall individual competency scores range from high through to low. The incorrect assumption for some coaches and trainers taking a first look at the EQ-i 2.0 assessment report is that the high scores are good and the low scores bad.

Consider for a moment, what might your journey as a team member be like if your Manager possessed and demonstrated a low level of Empathy (ability to view a situation from another's perspective and seek to understand it) and high level of Assertiveness? Even without being versed in Emotional Intelligence or the EQ-i 2.0 assessment, you may have accurately guessed that the Manager would be steadfast in communication what he wanted, his perspective and his standards, without much if any consideration for your perspective or your requirements. You would be more likely to hear from your Manager when something didn't go to plan rather than when you delivered something absolutely amazing, right?

Consider now the Manager possessing a low level of Impulse Control (the ability to delay the need for immediate gratification/low level attention) and low level Reality Testing (remaining objective when emotions are involved).

What would you consider to be the risks associated for you as a direct report of this Manager in terms of how:-

• He communicated with you when a project wasn't going to plan?

• Your confidence to speak up and share your alternative perspective on a matter with him?

• His ability to tolerate high stress levels could impact your own and team engagement and performance?

We all possess Emotional Intelligence. The real value isn't so much in whether your Emotional Intelligence is 'high'. It is whether the individual competencies are in balance and working in harmony with each other, rather than against each other.

Why is the EQ-i 2.0 Assessment The Best Emotional Intelligence Assessment I've Ever Seen?

So many supposed Emotional Intelligence assessment tools are created by individuals or groups who are generalists HR or Psychology practitioners, not subject specialists or Emotional Intelligence experts. Linkedin is drowning in a sea of Emotional Intelligence offerings, and I have viewed one apparent Emotional Intelligence psychometric assessment which was geared to guide the individual completing the assessment to book a 'Strategy Coaching Session' with the developer. Nothing more than an unethical prospecting ploy.

The EQ-i 2.0 assessment remains the world's most popular, most rigorously tested, and only scientifically validated EQ psychometric assessment. And rather than the EQ-i 2.0 assessment report simply stating information for the reader, it focuses on creating not just greater awareness, but greater balance.

Clients whose leadership coaching programmes have been underpinned with the EQ-i 2.0 assessment have achieved results including:-

- £8.2 million worth of client accounts successfully retained for a minimum of 2 years.
- 25% improvement in customer satisfaction results for a contact centre.
- £212,000 project saving for a major publishing company.
- And yes, there' more. Much more....