Emotional Intelligence ... or EQ

[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.