There’s no shortage of self-help books that promise the world but deliver very little substance. So if you’ve come across The EQ Edge and are wondering whether it’s worth your time (and money), you’re not alone.
At The Metiss Group, we specialize in helping our clients develop emotional intelligence (EQ) to enhance decision-making and problem-solving in the workplace. From our experience, the model presented in The EQ Edge is one of the most effective frameworks for EQ development.
In this article, we’ll break down what makes this book stand out, what we love about it, and where it might fall short, so you can decide if it’s the right addition to your bookshelf.
What The EQ Edge Is All About
The EQ Edge breaks down emotional intelligence into 5 composite scales and 15 subscales, using real-world examples and relatable fables to show how you can strengthen your EQ in daily life.
The book begins with an introduction to emotional intelligence. It explains the difference between EQ vs. IQ, and it explains that while IQ cannot be used as a predictor of success, high EQ typically does predict success.
Then it gives a scenario many of us can relate to: you’re at the airport, and your flight just got canceled. As you look around, emotions range from anger to despair.
Here's the book’s example: Sam storms up to the ticket counter in a rage, yelling at Sally, the ticket agent. “Don’t you know who I am?! I have an important meeting tomorrow!” After berating her and vowing never to use the airline again, Sam stomps off, leaving Sally blinking in silence.
Then there’s John, who approaches Sally next but keeps his cool.
“It must be hard for you to deal with people like that,” he says to Sally.
“You have no idea,” she replies.
Sally, feeling understood, goes out of her way to rebook John on a flight that gets him to his hotel by midnight.
This simple but powerful anecdote is referenced throughout the book to illustrate how EQ can change outcomes. It’s the foundation for discussing the 15 subscales of EQ and how they apply to real-world scenarios, making the lessons both memorable and actionable.
What We Love About The EQ Edge
This is a practical guide filled with relatable examples and actionable tools, which helps make EQ development accessible and relevant.
Whether you’re trying to improve your workplace performance or personal relationships, the book offers valuable insights that are easy to apply in the real world.
The EQ-i Model
One of the book’s standout features is its EQ-i model, which includes decision-making as a key component of emotional intelligence. This sets it apart from other EQ frameworks, which often focus solely on self-awareness, emotional expression, awareness of others, and interpersonal skills.
For workplace applications, this decision-making emphasis makes the EQ-i model especially relevant.
A memorable quote from the Problem-Solving chapter captures the importance of EQ in the workplace:
“Never has it been more important to focus on problem-solving. In workplaces everywhere, supervisors are asking their employees to come to them not with difficulties as they arise, but with solutions in hand, ready to be implemented. A competitive economy demands we be problem solvers, not problem collectors or reporters.”
This chapter emphasizes how emotions influence decision-making and how those with high EQ can navigate difficult problems while staying motivated.
Self-Assessments At The End Of Every Chapter
A problem with many self-help books is that what you read goes in one ear, out the other. But the self-assessments at the end of each chapter in The EQ Edge help make the learning sticky.
For example, at the end of the “Independence” chapter, the self-assessment asks readers to record every time they ask someone for help in the next week. Then, readers should note if they were simply asking for input, or if they were asking someone to take over. This gives readers an idea of their capacity for independence, and then provides actionable next steps based on results.
These tools allow readers to evaluate themselves and start identifying strategies for improvement. While self-reported assessments aren’t always perfectly accurate — most people think more critically of themselves than their peers do — they still serve as a solid starting point for EQ development.
Practical and Workplace-Relevant
The book establishes early on that IQ alone isn’t enough to predict success, whereas those with high EQ are better equipped to navigate challenges, build relationships, and achieve their goals. This makes the book especially valuable for those looking to improve workplace dynamics and performance.
It’s an easy read with plenty of fables that will have you thinking, “This is just like a similar situation I had last week!”
What We Don’t Love: Reliance on Self-Reported Assessments
The EQ Edge directs readers to take the EQ-i assessment online, which is a self-reported tool. While self-assessments can provide valuable insights, they can also lead to misaligned development efforts. Based solely on how you perceive your emotional intelligence, you might focus on areas that don’t truly need improvement.
For example, you might think you have low optimism because you always prepare for the worst-case scenario. However, others may view your preparedness as a strength, admiring how you stay calm and make the best of every situation.
At The Metiss Group, we’ve found that the EQ 360 model — where feedback is gathered from a handful of observers — provides a far more accurate and comprehensive foundation for EQ development.
By incorporating perspectives from colleagues, friends, and mentors, you gain a clearer understanding of where to focus your efforts. While the book’s reliance on the EQ-i model is useful for self-reflection, it doesn’t align with what we’ve found to be the most effective approach for our clients.
Next Steps After Reading The EQ Edge
The EQ Edge is a valuable resource for understanding and developing emotional intelligence, especially for workplace applications. However, to fully maximize your EQ growth, you need more than just a book; you need tools and strategies tailored to your unique challenges.
Here at The Metiss Group, we’ve guided our clients through emotional intelligence development for their employees and delivered measurable results.
Now that you understand the topics covered by The EQ Edge and how they relate to our services, the next step is to read How Much Does Emotional Intelligence Development Cost?
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