Steve Adcock decided to quit his corporate job in 2016 at 35, with savings of approximately $900,000. Today, at 42, he no longer needs to work after being able to amass around $1.3 million net worth. While he has managed his finances well over the past couple of decades, Adcock believes there's one valuable lesson he wishes he had known in his 20s that could have expedited his journey to wealth.
According to Adcock, personality can yield tenfold more wealth than intelligence. As he reflected on his career and worked alongside many bright colleagues, he noticed that those with strong personalities often received raises and promotions rather than the most intelligent individuals in the office.
Looking back, Adcock acknowledges that his perspective might seem counterintuitive, particularly for young individuals aspiring to work in STEM fields, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, as he did. While being the most intelligent often leads to academic success, emotional intelligence (EQ) weighs the most in the real world.
How to Show Off EQ at Work
While intelligence and job proficiency are undoubtedly critical, relying solely on intellect will not necessarily propel your career forward. Climbing the corporate ladder in almost any industry requires being savvy and competent, but emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills also play significant roles in career advancement.
Vicki Salemi, a career expert with Monster, echoes Adcock's advice, emphasizing that individuals who motivate and positively impact their workplace and colleagues, even if their track record is not outstanding, are more likely to advance in their careers. Aside from having a can-do attitude or engaging in casual conversations at work, Salemi outlines three ways to demonstrate to employers that you possess the soft skills necessary for promotion:
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1. Act The Part
If individuals are aiming for a higher job title within their company, Salemi suggests starting to fulfill the responsibilities of that role whenever possible. Even if the management position is not available, behave as the manager and assume leadership.
This does not entail adopting a different demeanor or micromanaging colleagues. Instead, consistently bring forth new ideas and initiatives during meetings and take the initiative in organizing events or activities for yourself and your coworkers. Salemi emphasizes the importance of being someone teammates naturally want to support and follow.
2. Build Support From Everyone on Your Side
If you want to improve your soft skills, involve your boss, colleagues, and clients in your development process. Seek their input on which areas you should concentrate on to progress in your career, and then act on their suggestions. By making them part of your journey, you are fostering collaboration.
3. Seek a Mentor
Identify someone in the office you admire, whether it is for their career path or collaborative nature. Approach them and seek their formal or informal guidance to learn from their experience, observe what qualities make them stand out, and try to emulate those characteristics.
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