Half of employees in the US are currently on the lookout for a new job, according to recent Gallup surveys. As organizations face continued uncertainty due to economic instability, an evolving AI landscape, rising costs, and cultural shifts, employee retention may seem like a low-priority issue. But the reality is that in times of uncertainty,…
Why Recognition Is the Retention Strategy You’re Overlooking Read More »
When Gallup studied leaders and followers across 52 countries, they uncovered something timeless: no matter the culture or context, people everywhere want the same four things from their leaders: hope, trust, compassion, and stability. These aren’t trends, they’re distinctly human needs. Fast-forward to today’s workplaces, transformed by hybrid models, relentless change, and the rise of…
Think about the best leader you’ve ever worked with. Chances are, what made them stand out wasn’t just their technical skills. It was likely their ability to stay calm under pressure, really listen to others, manage conflict well, and bring out the best in everyone around them. That’s emotional intelligence, or EQ. Emotional intelligence is…
How to Test for EQ: A Complete Guide Read More »
Isabel sat in her office staring at the performance reviews spread across her desk. Budget season at her firm meant layoffs, and even her best teams wouldn’t be spared. When Kelvin, her top-performing manager, came in for his review, she expected to breeze through praise and then move to the hard reality. But instead of…
Why Emotional Intelligence Is the Leadership Skill That Matters Most Now Read More »
In today’s fast-moving workplace, technical expertise and strategic vision aren’t enough for leaders to sustain high performance. Teams that thrive over the long term do so because they’ve mastered a deeper set of capabilities: emotional intelligence (EQ). Research consistently shows that when teams build high EQ, they don’t just get along better, they make sharper…
7 Ways Leaders Can Elevate Team Emotional Intelligence Read More »
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)…
Before and After EQ: What the Data Says About Our Training’s Impact Read More »
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…
What High Emotional Intelligence Looks Like Read More »
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…
4 Ways to Reinforce Learning After the Workshop Read More »
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….
Emotional Awareness vs. Emotional Intelligence: What’s the Difference? Read More »
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…
Retention Without Raises: How to Keep Top Talent When Budgets Are Tight Read More »
