Emotional Quotient Or Intelligence Quotient?

“Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. It is not the empath who is broken, it is society that has become dysfunctional and emotionally disabled. There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings. Those who are at times described as being a ‘hot mess’ or having ‘too many issues’ are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world. Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world.” - Anthon St. Marteen

- Anthon St. Marteen

A few days ago, while waiting for a friend at a coffee shop, I happened to overhear the conversation of a young couple sitting adjacent to my table. “You are a very emotional person”, the boy casually said. “I don’t think I can get too attached to someone or something and I believe it’s a good thing. It makes me strong. You too do not need to be so emotional all the time. It’s going to get you nowhere.”

As the girl sat there in silence, I began thinking about how in present day, emotions have become so trivial and are often associated with failure. Have we become so naive that in the process of portraying ourselves as strong, independent individuals, we have become scared of allowing feelings into our relationships?

In his book ‘How to become a millionaire’, Brian Koslow said, “To increase your effectiveness, make your emotions subordinate to your commitment.” Most men today have probably etched this saying into their souls and turned their hearts into a graveyard of emotions. Showing emotions is considered as a sign of weakness and being effeminate. They very strongly believe that men are not servants to their emotions. They can control them, suppress them, and stomp them out like bugs.

Traditionally there’s always a direct connection between your Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and your ability to succeed in life. You’re judged by your grades, marks, and your GPA. As schoolchildren, you were given standardized tests that ranked you against other students based on your IQ and your ability to gauge your math skills and reading comprehensions.

But there’s a world of difference between being book smart and street sharp, between intelligence and savvy. Though the first seems to have built its place, the second is more useful.