Management Quote by Travis Bradberry
““Scores climb with titles, from the bottom of the corporate ladder upward toward middle management. Middle managers stand out, with the highest EQ scores in the workforce. But up beyond middle management, there is a steep downward trend in EQ scores. For the titles of director and above, scores descend faster than a snowboarder on a black diamond. CEOs, on average, have the lowest EQ scores in the workplace.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves, 2009
EQ tends to decline at higher corporate levels, with CEOs often scoring lowest, suggesting leadership may prioritize other skills over emotional awareness.
In simple terms: EQ drops as you rise in corporate hierarchy, especially for CEOs.
Key Takeaway
Develop emotional intelligence at every career stage.
Themes
leadership
emotional intelligence
corporate hierarchy
management
career development
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
insightful
professional
When to use this quote
- Executive coaching
- leadership training
- performance reviews
- team building
- succession planning
Key Concepts
EQ measurement
psychometrics
organizational behavior
leadership styles
Questions to Reflect On
- What can leaders do to improve their EQ?
- How does low EQ affect organizational culture?
A Different Perspective
EQ may be undervalued in high‑pressure decision environments.
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