Emotional Intelligence ... or EQ

[xoxoxoBruce]

Of course, to be successful you don't have to be smart, you have to be likable.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Of course, to be successful you don't have to be smart, you have to be likable.

Unfortunately, studies have shown that there is a natural bias against considering successful women to be likeable.

Can't recall the details of the study I read about now, but basically two groups of people were given a case study of a succesful and ambitious upper-level manager. the only detail that was changed was that for one group a male name was used and for the other a female name.

There were no differences in perceptions of competency (which was a nice surprise for the researchers) or success, but the group with the male case study indicated a high level of likeability (they said they owuld like to work for them, thought they would be good company etc) whereas the group wth the female case study indicated a very low likeability_ too strident, too aggressive, wouldn't want to work for her, didnt think she'd be good company.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Unfortunately, studies have shown that there is a natural bias against considering successful women to be likable.

Can't recall the details of the study I read about now, but basically two groups of people were given a case study of a successful and ambitious upper-level manager. the only detail that was changed was that for one group a male name was used and for the other a female name.

Case studies aren't the same as people. A case study doesn't smile, shake your hand, offer you coffee.
A likable person may not turn out to be an effective manager, but they have a much better chance of being given the opportunity to try.
Unlikable people have less opportunity to be promoted to their level of incompetence.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Of course, to be successful you don't have to be smart, you have to be likable.

Depends on how you define 'success'. Money? Fame? Friends?

I'm not particularly smart, or likeable, but, I'm doing alright.