Group success through emotional intelligence, IQ, and shared goals

Collaboration and communication are essential to the success of any group structures and this is due to a multitude of strengths they generate, such as increased chances of team survival, the generation of more knowledge, the creation of better inter-group relationships or the creation of added capabilities and team synergies (Goleman, 1999).

The strengths of group constructions are however more complex forces, impacted not only by collaboration, but also by emotional intelligence, IQ, shared goals, networking and improved performance. The lines below focus on the identification of how each of these elements creates group strengths.

a) Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence in groups is the result of the interaction of people with various intelligence levels, experiences and emotions within a specific group. The creation and adequate capitalization on emotional intelligence within the group increases the overall performances of the team. It increase its chances of survival and success; it creates more knowledge, more solid relations and overall a stronger team. The concept and manifestation of emotional intelligence is often salient within groups, but it in fact represents the framework for the working environment, relations and performances (Schill, 2007).

b) IQ

As a general acceptance, the higher the levels of intelligence revealed by the team members, the better the team would be able to perform its tasks. A team whose members possess high levels of IQs is better able to survive and succeed, as well as it is able to create added team capabilities. Still, while the IQ is an essential component of group success, on its own, it is unable to create a strong and successful team.

c) Shared goals

The shared goals represent one of the particular issues required for the team to be strong and successful. In other words, it is necessary for the members of the team to share the same goals, to desire the same outcome and to work hard towards the attainment of the respective goals. This shared vision enhances the inter-group relationships and adds more value to the group efforts.

e) Improved performance

Finally, the improved performances of a team are often perceived as the ultimate success of the team; when a team performs at high levels, it can be assumed that it attains the purpose for which it was created. Nonetheless, the improved team performance is not only an end result, but a strength in itself. This feature is given by the fact that increased performances lead to positive results, which in turn stimulate the team members. Subsequently, improved performances increase the chances of team survival and success, create more knowledge, foster positive inter-group relations and create new capabilities and group synergies.

References:

Goleman, D., 2009, Working with emotional intelligence, Bloomsbury Publishing

Schill, N., 2007, Business professionals on benefits of emotional intelligence, Executive Intelligence Coaching, http://blog.executiveintelligentcoaching.com/2007/05/business-professionals-on-benefits-of.html last accessed on November 1, 2011