In a recent LinkedIn post, Florence Divet ☀️ highlights the critical, yet often misunderstood, role of emotional intelligence (EI) in professional success. While companies often hire for technical acumen (IQ), Divet ☀️ argues that it is emotional intelligence (EQ) that truly dictates long-term impact and memory within an organization. She emphasizes that EI is not an innate personality trait but a developable skill set.
Florence Divet ☀️ challenges the common misconception that EI is something one simply possesses or lacks from birth. Instead, she posits that it is a skill that must be cultivated systematically. “And like any skill, it is built layer by layer,” Divet ☀️ writes, pointing out that many individuals attempt to develop advanced EI competencies before mastering the fundamentals.
“You can’t read the room until you can read yourself. You can’t hold a hard conversation if your own emotions are running the show.”
Deconstructing Emotional Intelligence: A Layered Approach
Divet ☀️ breaks down the development of EI into a structured, five-stage process, moving from internal understanding to external application. This progression is crucial, as she explains that attempting to empathize with others or manage complex interpersonal dynamics is ineffective without first understanding and regulating one’s own emotional landscape.
Understanding and Mastering Self-Emotions
The initial stages of Divet ☀️’s framework focus on self-awareness and self-regulation. She stresses the importance of being able to identify, name, and manage one’s own feelings before attempting to navigate the emotions of others. This foundational step is essential for effective communication and conflict resolution.
“You can’t manage in others what you haven’t learned to manage in yourself. Start there.”
As Florence Divet ☀️ notes, this internal work is a prerequisite for external success. She provides curated links to free courses from reputable institutions like Yale, Berkeley, and the University of Michigan, designed to guide individuals through these crucial early stages.
Building Empathy and Stronger Relationships
Following the mastery of personal emotions, Divet ☀️’s path moves towards developing social awareness and empathy. This stage involves learning to accurately perceive and interpret the emotional states of those around you, which is vital for effective teamwork and leadership.
From Awareness to Action in Relationships
The subsequent stages focus on translating this emotional awareness into tangible improvements in interpersonal relationships. Divet ☀️ highlights how emotional intelligence enables individuals to build trust, foster connection, and engage in more productive and inspiring conversations. She argues that effective leadership is intrinsically linked to the ability to apply EI principles consistently.
“We hire people for their IQ. We remember them for their EQ.”
Florence Divet ☀️ concludes by encouraging readers to reflect on their own EI development needs and to share the insights with their networks to promote more effective leadership across the board. Her comprehensive approach underscores that while IQ might get you hired, it’s EQ that often determines how far you go and how well you lead.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Florence Divet ☀️ on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on October 1, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →