Why Certain Managers Thrive in Tough New Jobs

Why do some managers seem to enjoy unpleasant on-the-job learning experiences while others just want to quit? Emotional intelligence has something to do with it, according to a study of managers by Yuntao Dong of the University of Connecticut. The researchers found that a highly unpleasant developmental experience increased turnover intention about 20% among managers with low emotional intelligence but slightly decreased it among those with high EQ. Managers with high EQ, the ability to understand and manage emotions, reframe their developmental experiences as valuable opportunities rather than as threatening situations.