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use, manage and understand emotions
in themselves and others, according to
Peter O’Connor, professor at the School of
Management at Queensland University of
Technology in Australia. ‘Individuals with
high emotional intelligence can eff ectively
THE BIG STORY EMOTIONAL INTELLGENCE
identify distinct emotions and understand
their origins and impacts,’ he says.
‘This set of skills and competencies
aids in managing and utilising emotions
constructively, enhancing self-motivation
and the ability to influence others positively,’

he explains. ‘Unlike IQ [intelligence
quotient], which measures cognitive abilities
and problem-solving skills, EQ is focused on
emotional competencies and is not highly
correlated with cognitive intelligence.’
There are two potential explanations for
why EQ has been found to correlate with
safe behaviours, he says. ‘Firstly, individuals
with high EQ are good at managing stress,
Expertise is what
reducing the propensity for unsafe actions Closely intertwined

triggered by stress,’ he says. ‘Secondly, it’s not EQ plays a significant role in safety in
necessarily that high EQ directly promotes you bring to your various contexts – our workplaces, personal
safe behaviours, but it may deter engagement work, personality lives or larger societal settings, according
in unsafe practices like cutting corners, to Lorna McBreen CMIOSH, director at
is who you are at
a tendency often observed in those with Exceeding Safety Standards. ‘People with

personality profiles characterised by low EQ.’ high EQ are often better at recognising
work, and EQ is and understanding emotions, both in
Finding EQ how you make the themselves and others,’ she says. ‘This
EQ is typically assessed according to fi ve heightened awareness can lead to better risk
areas: self-awareness, self-regulation, most of both perception. For example, they may be more
motivation, empathy and social skills. ‘In attuned to signs of danger or discomfort and
contexts where self-regulation, motivation, take preventive measures accordingly.’
empathy and social skills are pivotal, high Geller contrasts Type A versus Type B EQ is closely tied to eff ective
EQ typically correlates with enhanced personality traits. Type A personalities communication skills too. ‘In safety-
performance and wellbeing,’ Peter says. are competitive, impatient and striving to critical situations, clear and empathetic
Oluwakemi Arumosoye CMIOSH, HSE do more in less time, in contrast to their communication is vital,’ Lorna adds.
manager at Balfour Integrated Services, says calmer Type B counterparts. Typical Type A ‘High EQ individuals are better at
that EQ is a ‘key part of the whole person. emotions are anger and hostility. However, conveying safety-related information and
Your expertise is what you bring to work, EQ can prevent Type A individuals from listening to concerns, which can prevent
your personality is who you are at work, and experiencing Type A emotions, which misunderstandings or miscommunications
your EQ is how you make the most of both have been found to contribute to health that could lead to accidents.’

your expertise and your personality.’ issues such as heart disease (Friedman Decision-making and effective responses

Personality traits reflect characteristic and Rosenman, 1959).‘Obviously, a Type to unexpected events are enhanced with
patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours A person is more at risk for experiencing a strong emotional intelligence.‘EQ helps
and imply consistency and stability – personal injury than a Type B individual,’ he individuals weigh the emotional aspects
behaviour will be similar over diff erent adds. ‘Systems thinking and focusing on the of a decision against the rational and
situations and time (Diener et al, 2019). present reduce the safety and health risks of safety-driven aspects, leading to more IMAGE: GETTY

There are different models, and E. Scott Type A behaviour and emotion.’ informed choices,’ Lorna adds. ‘Individuals
34 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | IOSHMAGAZINE.COM

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