Big on high emotional intelligence
EMOTIONAL intelligence is the ability to understand and control one’s own emotions as well as those of others.
An emotionally intelligent person is said to have a high emotional quotient (EQ). In today’s corporate world, growing attention is being given to its role in the workplace.
According to KDU University College vice-chancellor Prof Dr Khong Yoon Loong, good corporations value high EQ in their staff because they understand that individuals need to depend on one another to get their jobs done.
“If individuals are unable to interact in a productive and positive manner, then their jobs are impacted and the efficiency of an organisation diminishes,” he says.
“Workplace conflicts are costly. When top-level management staff cannot get along, for instance, key decisions are held up and time is wasted.
“This generates fear and uncertainty within the company, which in turn translates to lost productivity and financial resources.”
Furthermore, besides being a prerequisite to obtaining a job, emotional intelligence is a critical trait if one desires to climb the corporate ladder, even more so than having a high IQ. This is because leadership is all about managing people.
Prof Khong shares that once people are in a position of authority, it becomes less about how technically competent they are as individuals, and more about how well they manage others to collectively contribute to the mission of an organisation.
“Managing people is all about the application of one’s emotional intelligence. Leaders must know how to encourage, negotiate, communicate, persuade, empathise, resolve conflicts, confront constructively and so on,” he says.
“For a typical person, a high IQ is useful for perhaps the first five years or so of his or her career. To progress beyond that, managing the complex relationships and stresses of a modern workplace is essential. This requires a well-developed EQ. Generally, people successful in their careers and life have high EQ.”
Recognising the importance of emotional intelligence in the industry, KDU University College recently launched an initiative called the E3-Boosters, whereby it will help its students raise their EQ.
Prof Khong says that even though emotional intelligence is clearly crucial to hiring organisations, the National Graduate Employability Blueprint 2012-2017 shows that about 40% of employers reported graduates to have poor character, attitude and personality, which are related to emotional intelligence.
Besides EQ Development, the initiative also emphasises English Proficiency and Entrepreneurship, two other characteristics shown in the Blueprint to be lacking among graduates.
Each of the three components will be widely incorporated into the curricula of KDU University College’s academic programmes, and all its students will be exposed to them.
About KDU University College’s E3-Boosters
With the E3-Boosters, KDU University College’s students won’t have to settle for just any education. They’ll graduate with a special set of skills employers want.
English proficiency
Mastery of English is no longer an option in today’s global environment. Students can build their English proficiency at KDU University College and land their dream job.
EQ Development
Being book smart is not enough. Emotional intelligence is essential. KDU University College will help its students raise their EQ to complement their IQ.
Entrepreneurship
KDU University College will bring out the spirit of entrepreneurship in its students. This will help them to stand out and be daring, innovative and adaptable.
For more details on KDU University College’s E3-Boosters, call 03-7953 6688, e-mail best@ kdu.edu.my or log on to www.kdu. edu.my. In line with KDU University College’s mission of Driving Dreams, it is giving out RM6mil worth of scholarships to prospective and existing students who are high achievers.