A groundbreaking 40-year study from Dunedin, New Zealand, tracked over 1,000 kids for decades to uncover the most important factors for raising successful, well-adjusted children. In the article, Scientists Tracked 1,000 Kids for 40 Years. This Was the No. 1 Predictor of Financial Success by Jessica Stillman, the research explored various aspects of development, from family dynamics to mental health and socioeconomic background. One of the most striking findings was that emotional intelligence (EQ) is the strongest predictor of future financial success, surpassing academic performance, IQ, or even parental wealth and education. The study found that cognitive control, the ability to manage one’s emotions and impulses, was a crucial factor for success later in life.
The research also highlighted that emotional intelligence is not an innate trait but a skill that can be developed. It’s closely tied to self-control, which can be fostered through parenting, education, and early intervention. For parents hoping to boost their children’s EQ, experts suggest strategies such as helping children label and process their emotions, encouraging empathy, and exposing them to art and literature to explore the human experience. Ultimately, the Dunedin study underscores the importance of emotional intelligence not only for mental and emotional well-being but also for financial stability and overall life success.
The Challenges to Regulating Emotions
In addition to working with TRACOM, I also am a Registered Behavioral Therapist (RBT). As such, I provide therapy for children with autism and other developmental abilities. I see firsthand the challenges that many children have in understanding their emotions and regulating them. For some children with autism, emotions can get out of control quickly. Whether it’s laughing that turns into screaming or crying that can turn into self-injurious behavior, the children need to work on identifying their emotional level to be able to regulate it. I work daily to help them develop behavioral plans that include how they receive cues from their peers, manage their emotional zones and generally improve their emotional intelligence.
It’s estimated that 2 – 4 percent of adults are on the autism spectrum and up to 20% of adults have some level of neurodiversity. So it’s common that most of us likely need to interact/collaborate with others who can struggle with these issues. EQ training can be very useful to both understand your current emotional intelligence and improve your abilities in this area.
TRACOM’s Behavioral EQ Model, grounded in the latest brain function and performance research, focuses on the key aspects of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) that can be developed to improve workplace performance. Unlike other broad EQ models, TRACOM’s approach, developed over four years, zeroes in on specific behavioral skills that have proven to significantly impact job success. This model emphasizes the outward actions of individuals—what others observe and respond to—making it highly relevant for modern workplace challenges. With a global reach, the program has been implemented in over 40 countries, and its training and assessments are backed by Master Certified Instructors worldwide. The model uniquely measures both Emotional and Behavioral Intelligence, focusing on the practical, behavior-based elements that predict job performance and success.
Visit our Behavioral EQ page to learn more.
