Since opening our Hong Kong office, EQ How has received a lot of Asian interest in EQ Coaching.  Many enquiries also come from other Executive Coaches who increasingly hear about the relevance of EQ to senior leadership.  Herein, I hope to share my thoughts on EQ Models.

One of the “Big Two” models is the EQ-i 2.0 from Multi-Health Systems (MHS).  By clicking on this model link, you will see the wheel, which depicts the 15 EQ competencies split across 5 sections: Self-Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal, Decision Making & Stress Management.  Based on the original EQ research, I have found that these 15 competencies provide helpful granularity for EQ Coaching.

For example, under Interpersonal, does an executive build & sustain Interpersonal Relationships, and does he/she use Empathy to build a collaborative tone & connect with others?  Or for Self-Expression, what is the measure of the executive’s Assertiveness – do they lean towards aggressive or passive behaviour?  And for Decision Making, does the executive exercise Impulse Control, and do they support their decision with a Problem Solving structure?

Also mentioned on the same link is Daniel Goleman, whose research led to the second of the “Big Two” models.  His famous 1995 book Emotional Intelligence depicts his model as a 2×2 matrix, resulting in: Self-Awareness/Self Management and Social Awareness/Relationship Management.  Under these four categories, he identifies 18-20 competencies, depending on the version.  What I like best about Goleman and the ESCI assessment, distributed by Hayes Group, is the management terminology in the competencies.

Although it doesn’t offer one of the big two models, Six Seconds has helped to get the message out about EQ Coaching.  From their roots in developing EQ in children, they have embarked on an ambitious mission to help the world practice Emotional Intelligence skills.  While they emphasize behaviour change when applying a model, this is already core to the practice of professional coaches.  Their marketing is helping the EQ industry to grow.

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