When EQ Turns To The Dark Side

I've written a few times, with enthusiasm, about the importance and value of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and EQ (versus IQ). But, EQ is not always a panacea, nor is it always benign.

Daniel Goleman's seminal work in the field found that persons with higher EQs do better at work, have relatively few health problems, and have greater life satisfaction. However, other studies have found correlations of higher EI and narcissism, with strong possibilities that charming and seductive qualities could be used for malicious purposes.

A 2014 study linked EI and exploititativeness - those prone to manipulating others were better at reading them. This should be no surprise to anyone familiar with mentalists and self-styled psychics. It goes on and on, tying EI and EQ to Machiavellian behaviors.

Finally, high EI types are often likely to be scammed or duped, perhaps because they overestimate their ability to read others. So, look at EI/EQ in a balanced way, neither over or under estimating them.

Mind reading is still more fantasy than reality.