Emotional intelligence, or EI, is the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. Proficiently managing emotions and behavior in the workplace is instrumental for senior and c-level executives to achieve success.

Where Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace Matters Most

Studies compiled by HRZone reveal that EI significantly correlates with an individual’s job performance, work attitude (organizational commitment and job satisfaction), and overall psychological and physical health.

HRZone research identifies specific aspects of an individual’s EI that align with three different areas of contextual performance, or behaviors that support the social and psychological functioning of an organization.

  1. Striving and Adapting
  2. Collaborating and Supporting
  3. Leading and Influencing

Managers and senior executives with high emotional intelligence excel in effectively managing and collaborating with team members, fostering a positive work environment.

Identifying Emotional Intelligence During the Hiring Process

Contrary to EI’s emphasis on flexibility and emotional control, emotional un-intelligence manifests as defensive habits or a combination of rigid behavior and attitude. These traits can derail effective work performance and make it difficult to lead a team, which is why recognizing the level of emotional intelligence in a candidate before hiring is crucial. Behavioral interviewing and incorporating insights from an Emotional Intelligence questionnaire or test during the recruitment process can provide valuable information about a candidate’s potential.

Evaluating Emotional Intelligence Utilizing Behavioral Interviewing

Working with an executive search firm that excels at evaluating soft skills like EI provides the added benefit of focusing on more than the technical abilities of a candidate during the hiring process. At Torch Group, we specialize in competency-based video behavioral interviewing to identify emotional intelligence among other key success attributes. Our insights are compiled into an extensive report that looks at more than whether a candidate can get the job done. We identify candidates that are also a cultural fit and have the flexibility, adaptability, and DNA to lead.

When applied to evaluating emotional intelligence (EI), behavioral interviewing can be particularly effective because it focuses on real-life examples, allowing interviewers to gauge how candidates have demonstrated emotional intelligence in various situations. By narrating actual events, candidates provide tangible evidence of their emotional intelligence in action, including:

  1. Self-awareness:

Questions in behavioral interviews often encourage candidates to reflect on their own emotions and actions to demonstrate their ability to identify the impact of emotions on their behavior.

  1. Conflict Resolution:

Behavioral interview questions can explore how candidates have managed conflicts in the past, providing insights into their ability to handle conflicts and disagreements in the future.

  1. Adaptability:

Candidates with high emotional intelligence typically showcase flexibility in their responses.

  1. Collaboration and Teamwork:

Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in collaborative environments. Behavioral interview questions assess how candidates have contributed to team dynamics, resolved conflicts within teams, and supported colleagues emotionally.

  1. Leadership Skills:

For executive leadership roles, behavioral interviews can explore instances where candidates demonstrated leading and influencing others, including motivating teams, managing emotions during challenging projects, and fostering a positive work environment.

Senior leadership with a high level of emotional intelligence is key to achieving company objectives. Contact Torch Group to learn how we can help you make evaluating EI part of your recruitment and assessment process.

This article was originally published on April 5, 2018 and updated on February 15, 2024.