by Stacy Zemon
You may or may not be smarter than a 5th grader depending upon what type of “smart” both you and the youngster are. To understand what I mean, let’s take a look at the different between IQ and EQ.
For decades, the United States educational system has placed tremendous emphasis on certain aspects of intelligence such as logical reasoning, math skills, spatial skills, verbal skills, etc.
While IQ can predict to a certain degree a person’s potential success in academic performance and professional career, there is something vitally important missing from this equation. This is because IQ tests only take into account certain intelligences and completely ignore others.
Emotional Intelligence
One of the major missing parts in the success equation is emotional intelligence (EQ), a concept made popular by the groundbreaking book by Daniel Goleman, which is based on years of research by numerous scientists.
They have discovered that for a variety of reasons, people with high emotional intelligence tend to be more successful in life than those with lower EQ even if their IQ is average.
EQ can be defined as a set of competencies that have to do with understanding emotions in oneself and in others, regulating emotions in oneself and in others.
Most importantly, being able to use your emotions as a source of information with problem solving, being creative and dealing with social situations.
What DJs Need to Know About EQ
This is particularly important for disc jockeys because their work is highly creative by nature. They must be able to persuade people to act on what they are requesting, and be highly customer service oriented.
Researchers have found that there are great benefits to developing emotional intelligence because those with a high EQ:
- Are more confident
- Are better learners
- Have higher self esteem
- Have fewer behavior problems
- Are more optimistic
- Handle their emotions well
- Are happier
For more info. on Emotional Intelligence, click here.
Multiple Intelligences
Taking this subject to an even deeper level, Dr. Howard Gardner, a professor of education at Harvard University developed a theory of multiple intelligences. He proposes eight different intelligences to account for a broad range of human potential. The four that apply most to DJs are bolded below:
- Linguistic intelligence (“word smart”) - SPEAKING
- Logical-mathematical intelligence (“number/reasoning smart”)
- Spatial intelligence (“picture smart”)
- Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence (“body smart”) - DANCING
- Musical intelligence (“music smart”) – PROGRAMMING & MIXING MUSIC
- Interpersonal intelligence (“people smart”) – READING A CROWD & INTERACTING WITH THEM
- Intrapersonal intelligence (“self smart”)
- Naturalist intelligence (“nature smart”)
We DJs Have a Unique Way of Thinking & Learning
According to Dr. Gardner, American society and our schools focus most of their attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. He suggests that equal attentions should be paid to individuals who show gifts in the other intelligences: the artists, architects, musicians, naturalists, designers, dancers, therapists, entrepreneurs, and others who enrich the world in which we live.
Unfortunately, many children who have these gifts (future disc jockeys) don’t receive much reinforcement for them in school. Many of these kids, in fact, end up being labeled as “learning disabled,” having “attention deficit disorder,” or simply being an “underachiever.” This is because their unique ways of thinking and learning aren’t addressed by a heavily logical-mathematical classroom.
Moving forward in time, many adults find themselves in jobs that do not make optimal use of their most highly developed intelligences. The theory of multiple intelligences gives adults a whole new way to look at their lives, examining potentials that they left behind in their childhood (such as a love for music or drama) but now have the opportunity to develop.
For more info. on Multiple Intelligences, click here.
What are your thoughts on this fascinating subject matter?
Publisher & Chief Scribe
Stacy Zemon is a self-described serial entrepreneur (Equal parts creativity and business). She is a distinguished industry leader who is widely considered an authority on the DJ business. Stacy is a veteran disc jockey, writer for DJ Times magazine and author of the world’s best-selling DJ books: The Mobile DJ Handbook, The DJ Sales & Marketing Handbook and The Mobile DJ MBA. For the complete story about Stacy’s career, click here. To check out Stacy’s copywriting and business consulting services, click here.
