Emotional intelligence: a solution to emerging workplace challenges

- Collaboration as a Top Priority: 81% say breaking down silos and fostering cross-departmental collaboration is essential for driving innovation and agility.

- Rising Data Security Concerns: 58% cite cybersecurity threats and regulatory demands as critical issues requiring immediate attention.

- Work-Life Balance Challenges: 34% struggle to balance personal well-being with workplace demands.

- Change Management Gaps: Despite 45% of organizations experiencing frequent change, only 35% feel their organizations are adequately prepared to navigate it.

TalentSmartEQ, a provider of emotional intelligence (EQ) solutions, has released a first-of-its-kind workplace report, uncovering a prioritization of people-centered themes. The State of EQ Report captures insights from more than 600 respondents, including leadership, HR, and L&D professionals, plus 37,000 individuals who completed TalentSmart’s EQ assessment.

Key findings from the 2025 State of EQ Report highlight the critical importance of fostering collaboration, navigating change effectively, and balancing operational efficiency with employee well-being. One of the most significant insights is the increasing emphasis on relationship-centric workplaces, where organizations are prioritizing engagement and teamwork as key drivers of success. The report also underscores a strong link between employee engagement and customer satisfaction, illustrating how a people-first approach directly influences customer loyalty and organizational outcomes.

Additionally, assessment data from over 37,000 individuals, who completed TalentSmartEQ’s Emotional Intelligence Appraisal in 2024, provides a deeper understanding of EQ strengths and opportunities across organizations.

• Self-Awareness as a Strength: 41% of respondents scored above 80 in Self-Awareness, identifying it as a foundational strength that can be leveraged to support personal growth, adaptability, and leadership effectiveness.
• Social Awareness as a Key Growth Area: 23% of respondents scored below 69 in Social Awareness, highlighting challenges in recognizing non-verbal cues and building meaningful connections with otherscritical for collaboration and engagement.
• Relationship-Centric Focus: Collaboration, employee engagement and customer satisfaction are key priorities in driving organizational success.
• Navigating Technological and Economic Uncertainty: Organizations face challenges from data security to economic volatility in a globally interconnected world.
• Work-Life Balance and Stress Management: Rising workplace demands are amplifying stress, making employee well-being a critical area of focus.
• Balancing Efficiency with People-Centric Leadership: Leaders strive to harmonize operational priorities with workforce engagement to drive sustainable success.
• Preparedness for Change: While organizational change is frequent, many report limited readiness to effectively manage transitions.

“Research insights include feedback that prioritizes fostering human-centric workplaces, preparing employees for the increasing pace of change, and balancing operational needs with employee well-being,” said Howard Farfel, TalentSmartEQ CEO. “The findings highlight the importance of relationships, and the critical role of emotional intelligence in creating a people-first environment. This data enables us and our clients to focus our EQ training programs to help leaders and their teams thrive and deliver exceptional results.”

Five themes emerged from the survey results:

• Relationship-Centric Focus: Collaboration, employee engagement and customer satisfaction are key priorities in driving organizational success.
• Navigating Technological and Economic Uncertainty: Organizations face challenges from data security to economic volatility in a globally interconnected world.
• Work-Life Balance and Stress Management: Rising workplace demands are amplifying stress, making employee well-being a critical area of focus.
• Balancing Efficiency with People-Centric Leadership: Leaders strive to harmonize operational priorities with workforce engagement to drive sustainable success.
• Preparedness for Change: While organizational change is frequent, many report limited readiness to effectively manage transitions.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges highlighted in the State of EQ Report. The ability to recognize, understand and manage emotionsboth in oneself and in othersis essential for effective leadership, teamwork and performance. For leaders, this means cultivating self-awareness, empathy, and relationship-building skills that inspire confidence and connection with their teams.

To download the free 2025 State of EQ Report and gain insights into challenges and strategies shaping organizations in 2025, please visit http://www.talentsmarteq.com/.