In this episode of the Rethinking podcast, Adam Grant chats with Merve Emre about emotional intelligence (EQ). Emre opens the conversation by expressing her doubts about EQ, which she connects to its roots in emotional labor and its possible use as a tool for corporate manipulation. They explore whether differences in emotional regulation truly exist and discuss if EQ is a legitimate skill or merely a means of corporate control. Emre suggests that emphasizing "emotional labor" rather than "emotional intelligence" better reflects the social and structural influences on how emotions are expressed at work, particularly regarding gender expectations. The discussion wraps up with a balanced view that recognizes both the potential advantages and the risks of prioritizing EQ in professional settings.
