Dubai Knowledge Village and Six Seconds Conduct First Middle East Study on Emotional Quotient

8 per cent of the Variance in Performance Influenced by Emotional Intelligence

Dubai: 20 December, 2009 - For the first time in the Middle East, in a unique study of its kind conducted among 418 individuals, the relationship between emotional intelligence and performance outcome has been documented to establish the high correlation that exists between individual success and emotional quotient (EQ).

Drawing out responses from freelancers and entry level managers, to entrepreneurs and senior executives, from across a variety of organisations, the study was conducted by Six Seconds (Global) and Six Seconds Middle East in partnership with Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV), the region’s premier destination for human resource management and a member of TECOM Investments.

In the survey, over 58 per cent of the variance in performance among the participating Middle East leaders was explained on the basis of their scores on emotional intelligence. Scores were also compared for those who featured in the top 25 per cent of performance versus those who came in the lowest 25 per cent.  The top performers on average were noted to have almost 1.2 times higher scores on emotional intelligence.

The study revealed that performance factors such as decision making, effectiveness, and influence - that are critical to leadership - have a strong element of emotional intelligence intertwined within them that directly influences final performance. The finding suggests that leaders who have developed greater emotional intelligence are more likely to succeed.

Joshua Freedman, COO, Six Seconds, said: “On an average, those with higher EQ had higher performance scores according to these tests. The strong positive relationship between EQ and Performance suggests this could be an effective tool to monitor critical professional and personal success factors such as effectiveness, influence, relationships, and career status.”

Dr Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director, Dubai Knowledge Village, said: “The survey is part of the DKV Corporate Research Centre’s continuing endeavour to offer economic and market data for the benefit of UAE-based businesses.

“The DKV Corporate Research Centre is a joint effort leveraging its own pool of talent with our business partners’ wealth of knowledge and expertise in research and consultancy. The key findings of the research will help senior managers in the regional corporate sector take effective measures for tackling some of the emerging challenges.”

The SEI (Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence) Assessment, used for conducting this research, is based on the Six Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligence. It  consists of eight core competencies that are associated with the three macro areas of self awareness, self management, and self direction. All the aspects of performance in this study can be predicted by emotional intelligence scores.

Jayne Morrison, Regional Director, Six Seconds, said: “The skills of emotional intelligence are critical for professional success at all levels of and organisation, and even more significant for those creating and sustaining new enterprises – a factor that is crucial given the importance of supporting economic growth in the Middle East.”

The Performance scale has been developed from a questionnaire that Six Seconds has used for previous research and expanded for the purposes of this study.  Using a five-point Likert scale, respondents rated themselves on 42 items related to Effectiveness (completing the right work in the right timeframe), Influence (engaging others in ideas), Decision Making (accurately evaluating options), Career (growing professionally, both in skills and revenue), Relationships (building mutually supportive alliances), Finance (creating prosperity), Health (maintaining physical and mental fitness), Quality of Life (living in a fulfilling manner) and Family (developing caring and connected relations).

The survey’s sample group comprised 41 per cent female and 59 per cent male, ranging in age from 18-63 years (mean age is 35 years). Among them, while 91 per cent held university degrees, 1.7 per cent were freelancers, 11.5 per cent employees, 48.7 per cent managers, 33.4 per cent executives and 4.5 per cent entrepreneurs. The work sectors represented were education (10.3 per cent), entertainment (2.1 per cent), finance (14.3 per cent), healthcare (2.1 per cent), hospitality, travel (21.2 per cent), industrial (5.5 per cent), service (9.5 per cent), technology (11.2 per cent) and others (23.6 per cent). Participants represented 51 different nationalities, reflecting the wide cultural diversity of the region.

The highest of the nationality groups in the study included participants from India (28.8 per cent), the UK (9.3 per cent), the UAE (7.64 per cent), Pakistan (6.4 per cent), Philippines (4.3 per cent) and Egypt (3.1). Those from Jordan, Germany, Sweden, Sri Lanka and United States had a relatively smaller representation at less 3 per cent.

Launched in 2003, Dubai Knowledge Village aims to consolidate the status of the emirate as a global destination for human resource management and learning excellence. Hosting over 450 centres in HR development, professional testing, as well as management training and consultancy services, DKV is a unique hub that offers the right investment opportunities in human capital empowerment, skills development and enhancement.