Why EQ, Not Just IQ, Will Define Your Career Success
Even with the development and advancement of the work place, one truth remains :people power progress.
That truth echoed at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference, as reported by Business Insider Africa, where George Roberts and Henry Kravis cofounders of global investment giant KKR shared a simple but powerful insight: young professionals need more emotional intelligence.
Their words were honest, not harsh. Despite today’s generation being the most analytically gifted in history, many are missing the emotional depth to lead, collaborate, and connect meaningfully. And that, they noted, is a problem worth solving.
EQ Is the Real Power Skill
Technical knowledge can get you through an exam. Strategy might win you a pitch. But in the boardroom and in life it’s emotional intelligence (EQ) that keeps the door open. EQ helps you:
✍️ Stay composed under pressure
✍️ Handle rejection without shutting down
✍️ Connect with people from different walks of life
✍️ Lead with empathy instead of ego
✍️ Know when to speak, and more importantly, when to listen
Emotional Intelligence Is a Career Advantage And a Human One
Roberts and Kravis didn’t just speak as business titans. They spoke as mentors. As people who’ve seen that the most impactful leaders aren’t always the loudest, but the most emotionally present.
They urged young investors to learn how to manage themselves before trying to manage others. That’s not just career advice it’s life advice.
Whether you’re fresh out of school, transitioning careers, or climbing the corporate ladder, cultivating emotional intelligence is a way to future-proof your career and protect your peace.
Final Thoughts
You can master every technical tool in your field, but if you neglect the human skill of emotional connection, your potential remains limited. The good news?
Emotional intelligence can be learned, nurtured, and strengthened. And the return on that investment is Limitless.
You can visit CareerPaddy for more information that can guide you through your career
You can also access soft skills that can help you balance your career on the CareerPaddy app
Stay tuned for more analysis from CaeerPaddy