Part IV: Using the Results

Understanding the Results

Step 2: Interpret the Total EI and Composite Scale Scores

After assessing the validity of the EQ-i 2.0 profile, the next step is to examine the overarching scores: Total EI and the 5 Composite Scale scores. Although practitioners rarely coach to these broader scores, examining them before diving into the subscale level scores gives a high level view of the individual’s emotional and social functioning.

Interpretation of Total EI

The Total EI score is created by summing 118 of the 133 items (items on the PI, NI and Happiness scales as well as Item 133 are not included in the total score). This score gives a general indication of how emotionally intelligent the respondent is; it encapsulates how successful the individual is at perceiving and expressing oneself, developing and maintaining social relationships, coping with challenges, and using emotional information in an effective and meaningful way.

Remember, the Total EI score can mask high or low functioning in any given subscale, and therefore it is important to examine more closely the composite and subscale scores.

Interpretation of Composite Scale Scores

The 5 composite scales on the EQ-i 2.0 can be interpreted as buckets for organizing the 15 core subscales into similar categories. There is a logical progression as you move through the composite scales as presented in the profile graph, starting with Self-Perception (SP), Self-Expression (SE), Interpersonal (IP), Decision Making (DM) and Stress Management (SM). Some characteristics tyical of individuals with low and high scores on each of the composite scales are shown below. This information will be helpful in the interpretation of these scores.

Self-Perception Composite
LOWER SCORES	HIGHER SCORES
May not be in touch with feelings May lack inner strength and confidence Emotions may elude or confuse them May not understand emotional landscape May not make good use of abilities	Feels good about oneself Feels positive about life In touch with own emotions Recognizes and predicts emotions Detects nuances between different emotions

Having a solid understanding of oneself, one’s emotions and one’s inner life means allows one to better express thoughts and feelings.

Self-Expression Composite
LOWER SCORES	HIGHER SCORES
Struggles to express own thoughts and feelings May be emotionally dependent May find it hard to describe how one feels Expression of emotion may not be constructive May refrain from sharing thoughts and beliefs	Free from emotional dependency on others Constructively expresses thoughts and emotions Can describe and articulate how one feels Openly and confidently expresses oneself Self-directed

Being able to openly and honestly express one’s true thoughts and feelings enables one to have healthy relationships and interactions built on trust.

Interpersonal Composite
LOWER SCORES	HIGHER SCORES
May lack appropriate social skills; withdrawn May struggle to understand or relate to others May not see how own emotions affect others Relationships may be of lower quality or depth May not be sensitive to the feelings of others	Seeks and maintains high-caliber relationships Sensitive to and cares for the needs of others Can predict how own emotions affect others Sociable, easy to approach Feels a responsibility to contribute to society, one’s social group or team

A healthy network of relationships gives one greater resources from which to gather information and process it accordingly and seek feedback in order to arrive at optimal solutions.

Decision Making Composite
LOWER SCORES	HIGHER SCORES
May not use emotional information effectively Emotions may hinder decision making May fall victim to rash behaviors/decisions Could struggle to remain objective May be derailed or biased by emotions	Leverages emotional information to make decisions Seeks and maintains high-caliber relationships Finds good ways of arriving at a solution Grounded; able to objectively size up a situation Can separate emotion-driven assumptions from fact Resists or delays impulses to act; methodical

Feeling competent, calm and grounded in one’s ability to use emotional information to make decisions renders one better equipped to deal with everyday stressors, without being derailed by emotions.

Stress Management Composite
LOWER SCORES	HIGHER SCORES
Struggle when faced with stress or change May often feel anxious or stressed May be rooted in tradition; resistant to change Pessimistic about the future Less hopeful and resilient	Calm and works well under pressure Resilient; draws from multiple coping strategies Optimistic about the future Cope well with the emotions associated with change and stress Adaptive; view change as a positive thing

Feeling resilient in the face of adversity and armed with an arsenal of coping strategies heightens feelings of self-security, confidence and a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s strengths.

Composite scales allow you to dig a little deeper into the results than the Total EI scores, but like Total EI, composite scales can still mask a high or low score on a given subscale. Therefore, focusing too much at the composite scale level may mean losing important information about the respondent’s performance on specific subscales.