I believe that in a perfect world, the ratio of success between interpersonal skills and technical knowledge should favor technical knowledge, especially in the science/medical field. One reason as to why the success equation regarding emotional intelligence (EI) is perceived as controversial is because acquiring technical knowledge demands hard work and effort, which acquiring emotional intelligence is done more passively throughout one’s lifetime and is not as demanding. When applying for an interview to become a cardiologist, the EI equation states that an individual who is less educated than other candidates is more likely to receive the position as long as they can socially draw more appeal to themselves. The concern with this lies in a patient who is in need of immediate open-heart surgery. Who will the patient prefer as their acting cardiologist, the candidate who talked their way to the top who graduated with a C average upon doing the bare minimum, or the quiet, antisocial individual who graduated closer to the top of their class? I personally believe that the EI equation (70% interpersonal, 30% technical) is a manifestation of a lack of ethics (such as favoritism) that is present in any field or organization. EI is also a value that is not as professionally acknowledged (like education, experience, work efficiency, etc), and instead is ignored despite the consequences that may ensue from establishing it as a priority.

The personal website of Daniel Goleman goes more in depth in Goleman’s personal experiences regarding EI from the early 90s to modern day. In Goleman’s perspective, EI went from being conceptualized solely in conversation to a subject being taught in schools all around the world, which were referred to as SEL courses (social and emotional learning). Is incorporating the topic of EI into an educational curriculum considered to be a productive, progressive move in the field of biotech or does it have more to do with educational institutes profiting with a value that is questionable in its ethics? Does anyone with experience or education in marketing or psychology share a different opinion as to whether or not EI is just a shortcut to success?

Reference:
(1) Daniel Goleman website, Emotional Intelligence under topics