Maggie Sass, PhD

Before and After EQ: What the Data Says About Our Training’s Impact

Emotional Intelligence Strategies & Solutions, Featured Article, TalentSmartEQ / Maggie Sass, PhD

Organizations are no longer satisfied with training that feels good in the moment but fades in the rearview mirror. In today’s pressure-filled workplace, HR and L&D leaders are being asked to connect learning programs to hard metrics: behavior change, emotional resilience, reduced burnout, better decision-making, and cultural transformation. At TalentSmartEQ, we believe emotional intelligence (EQ)…

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What High Emotional Intelligence Looks Like

Leave a Comment / Emotional Intelligence Strategies & Solutions, Leadership / Maggie Sass, PhD

In 2025, the pace of work feels faster than ever, and so does the emotional climate. Artificial intelligence is reshaping entire roles, return-to-office mandates are testing workplace trust, Gen Z is bringing fresh perspectives (and fresh expectations) into the mix, and global uncertainty continues to keep leaders on their toes. In times like these, technical…

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4 Ways to Reinforce Learning After the Workshop

Emotional Intelligence Strategies & Solutions, Featured Article / Maggie Sass, PhD

When it comes to emotional intelligence (EQ), the true value of a workshop isn’t just what happens in the room, it’s what happens after. For HR and Learning & Development (L&D) leaders, reinforcing EQ learning after a training session is critical for translating insight into behavior change. Without reinforcement, even the most engaging workshop will…

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Emotional Awareness vs. Emotional Intelligence: What’s the Difference?

Emotional Intelligence Strategies & Solutions / Maggie Sass, PhD

You’ve likely heard the terms emotional awareness and emotional intelligence, and you might think they are essentially interchangeable. Another word for awareness is knowledge, and if you’re knowledgeable about something, that makes you intelligent in that area, right? Not quite. While emotional intelligence requires emotional awareness, awareness is only one part of the EQ equation….

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Retention Without Raises: How to Keep Top Talent When Budgets Are Tight

Emotional Intelligence Strategies & Solutions, Employee Engagement, Employee Hiring & Retention, Popular Article / Maggie Sass, PhD

When promotions are paused, hiring is frozen, and compensation budgets are flat, organizations often brace for talent exits. The fear is understandable, and in many cases, justified. But here’s what’s often missed: Most people don’t leave because of the paycheck. According to iHire’s 2024 Talent Retention Report, just 20% of employees cited pay as the primary…

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Emotional Intelligence Examples in the Workplace and in Leadership

Emotional Intelligence Strategies & Solutions / Maggie Sass, PhD

You can define emotional intelligence. You can even break it down into its key components and explain why EQ is a strong predictor of success in the workplace and beyond. But do you know it when you see it? Can you watch a situation unfold and point out examples of high emotional intelligence? Can you…

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EQ Meaning: Understanding Emotional Intelligence for Success in Business and Life

Emotional Intelligence Strategies & Solutions, Leadership / Maggie Sass, PhD

If you’ve been in the business world long enough, you’ve likely heard the term emotional intelligence, sometimes referred to as EQ. It’s widely known as a must-have skill in the workplace, but many business professionals still don’t even know the meaning of EQ. EQ is not just being “in tune” with how you’re feeling. The…

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How Does EQ Affect Interpersonal Communication?

Active Listening, Emotional Intelligence Strategies & Solutions, Leadership / Maggie Sass, PhD

Of all aspects of the workplace that technology has changed in recent years, the most important one might be the way we communicate interpersonally. For decades, business was conducted largely in person or on the phone. But the development of new technologies like email, texting, and video calls–turbocharged by the pandemic and the subsequent trend…

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The Resilience Q&A: Practical Strategies for Navigating Uncertain Times

Resilience / Maggie Sass, PhD

In our recent webinar, “The Resilience Toolkit: 6 Practical Strategies for Uncertain Times,” we received some great questions from leaders and professionals seeking ways to build resilience, trust, and clarity amidst rapid change. These questions reflect what many of us are experiencing: a deep need for authentic connection, strategic support, and emotionally intelligent solutions to…

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Smarter Together: Why AI Needs Emotional Intelligence to Lead the Future

Artificial Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence Strategies & Solutions, Popular Article / Maggie Sass, PhD

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries and redefine how we work, communicate, and lead. Its rapid integration into everything from healthcare and education to finance and customer service is no longer novel—it’s the new normal. But while AI brings speed, scale, and data, its rise also introduces a critical blind spot: the erosion of…

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