EQ stands for Emotional Intelligence. Current research continues to report that EQ is a more accurate indicator of success then having a high IQ. B & G (authors I list below) state that EQ is “the single biggest predictor of performance in the workplace…” (p. 21).
Successful preaching pastors have a high EQ.
In these next few posts I will be summarizing some of the ways in which EQ studies affect our responsibility and privilege of preaching God’s Word.
I just finished reading Bradberry and Greaves, Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (TalentSmart, 2009).
It had been at least 15 years since I read Daniel Goleman’s book on the same topic. My good friend, Andy Bunn, is completing his Ph.D. in leadership studies and he highly recommended this little book. Evidently, EQ is still a hot topic in leadership studies. I have yet to read anything on how it relates to preaching, so here goes…
If you’re unfamiliar with the subject of EQ, the authors define it as
“…your ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behavior and relationships.” (p. 17)
Here’s a quick overview of four EQ skills to get us started:
Personal Competence consists of
- self-awareness (your ability to accurately acknowledge and understand your own emotions, your typical reaction to certain events and people)
- self-management (your ability to use your awareness of your own emotional condition so that you are able to consistently act positively in every situation)
Social Competence consists of
- Social awareness (your ability to accurately interpret the emotions of others and understand what they’re really thinking)
- Relationship Management (your ability to use that knowledge of others so that you interact effectively with a variety of people in a variety of situations)
And, if you’re wondering if any of this EQ stuff is worth thinking about and developing, B & G write,
“The weaker the connection you have with someone, the harder it is to get your point across.” (p. 44)
See why I’m interested in exploring the subject of high EQ preachers? And all so God can receive glory in the church and in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:21).
Randal
This post was originally published on June 19, 2017.
If EQ is important within preaching, how should this affect the amount of time spent in study and preparing sermons versus spending time amidst the flock?
Remember, Micah, that the world of the preaching pastor always involves both realms. And EQ is as much about self-understanding as understanding others. The balance is always tough to navigate and probably changes with age/stage of ministry.
I believe that EQ (Emotional Intelligence) is vital in preaching and teaching. I can remember more than once when I received bad news right before a church service where I had to teach. One instance my mom was rushed to the hospital an hour before service. I had to teach. It was a launch of my new ministry and I could not put it on anyone else. I was able to have personal competence and self-awareness of my emotions and launch this ministry and teach like all was well. It was like I was able to compartmentalize the emotions of my mom having a heart attack, so I could have clarity during teaching.
I also think it is necessary to be social aware and have relationship management. It is so vital to be relational and real. The people you are addressing have to know you understand or can connect with them. I found this a treasure in teaching teens and pre-teens. If you don’t social awareness and relationship management with these age groups, you will bomb.
Great examples, Steph, of how high EQ can serve us well!
Even as this post is exceptionally precise, the information is beneficial for our social media age. Emotional intelligence is useful especially in our age where it is hard orient ourselves with the rules of inter-personal non-remote communication. We spend most of our on the phone or PC and it gets hard for us to understand our emotion and our social competence. I believe that we cannot understand our emotion until we boldly commune in a social non-remote arena or interact in a community of “unique people.” The phones and social media is simply where we can pretend that we have all our emotions figured out or pretend that we are really in a relation that is intimate with boundaries. Also, I believe that we cannot fully grasp our social competence until we also boldly commune physically in our relationships. For instance, I realized that my communication skills deteriorates with people I don’t connect with. On the other hand, God calls me to improve my communication skills by interacting with people I don’t connect with. I have realized that through my “witness” interaction with those I don’t connect with, I find connection and sometimes circumstantial disconnection in order to build both my personal and social emotional competence to the level of peace or shalom.
Again, this goes back to the popular adage of “knowing thyself.” I argue that to know self is also to know what is not of self. We know ourselves by envisioning a possibility of potentiality. We cannot know ourselves, “by ourselves.” A woman who looks at the mirror while fashioning her make-up is not just seeing herself in the mirror, but also seeing what she could be in the mirror of her mind: that draws from external experience. My point is, we cannot separate personal competence from social competence to reach a balanced emotional circumstance. Both work hand in hand.
I appreciate the thoughtfulness with which you attack these assignments, dear brother. I pray that our Lord grants you the privilege to watch over souls through the Word of God! So glad we studied together.
I find it fascinating that you would tie EQ to the role of preachers. Many times, I have been tested to determine my EQ for secular management positions at work and often marveled how some have been promoted into similar management roles though they appear to have a low EQ. As it pertains to preachers, it is valued and should be required. How can one lead God’s sheep and lack in self-management. I might even suggest during this post that the fruit of the Spirit is but an analogy for having s high EQ. I would guess that those who manifest the fruit of the Spirit in their walk with God also have a high EQ.
Thank you for that excellent thought, dear brother, about the possible connection between EQ and the HS’s gifting. That might make an interesting study project.