Would you rather hire someone with a high IQ or a high EQ?

According to a new study, EQ, or “emotional quotient,” is superior to intelligence in some ways, since stressed-out workers’ emotions can create potential roadblocks for career advancement and success.

According to the national survey of 1,014 working adult Americans ages 18 and older, 55% report a lack of familiarity with emotional intelligence and its impact on their professional success.

While 80% say they experience stress in the workplace as a result of work or personal issues, 48% are not familiar with the negative effect stress has on their emotional intelligence.

Happy Hour Is Not a Training Class

The research, conducted by Multi-Health Systems, shows that emotional intelligence involves a range of factors that allow a person to evaluate and cope with his or her environment and emotional well-being, including elements such as independence, problem solving, flexibility, mood, and self-awareness, among others.

How can your company work to de-stress this mess? Dr. Steven Stein, president and CEO of Multi-Health Systems, suggests that emotional intelligence training might be a means of reducing stress.

“Emotional intelligence can suffer when stress takes a toll, preventing workers from controlling their emotions, collaborating with others, adapting to change, and maintaining a positive mood,” says Dr. Stein.

Indeed, study results point out that 32% of workers think stress prevented them from being recognized for their contributions at work, and 27% say stress prevented them from advancing in their career.

The study also shows that 53% of workers say stress reduces their productivity in the workplace; 53% say stress hurts their relationships with co-workers; and 47% say stress inhibits their workplace decision-making.