The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Business and Life

In the world of permanent makeup (PMU) and entrepreneurship, success isn’t just about skill—it’s also about emotional intelligence (EQ). Understanding and managing emotions is crucial for building a thriving business, creating healthy work relationships, and maintaining personal well-being.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the concept of EQ, why it matters, and how it can make or break your business and personal growth.

What is Emotional Intelligence (EQ)?

We’ve all heard of IQ (Intelligence Quotient)—a measure of how well someone can solve problems and think logically. But have you ever considered that EQ (Emotional Quotient) might be even more important?

EQ refers to your ability to:
✔️ Recognize and manage your own emotions
✔️ Understand and influence the emotions of others
✔️ Build meaningful relationships based on emotional awareness

Many psychologists and experts argue that EQ is even more critical than IQ, especially in business and leadership. If you can’t regulate your emotions or connect with people, it doesn’t matter how intelligent or talented you are—your relationships and career will suffer.

Signs of Low Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Over the past couple of years, I (Teryn Darling) have encountered several individuals in both my business and personal life who demonstrated low EQ. At first, I didn’t recognize the red flags. But after seeing recurring patterns in multiple people, I knew I had to take a deeper look at why I was attracting and tolerating these toxic traits.

So, what are the common signs of low EQ?

1. Lack of Empathy

People with low EQ struggle to connect with others' emotions. They:
❌ Fail to understand how their actions affect others
❌ Lack compassion or emotional awareness
❌ Make everything about themselves

If someone constantly turns conversations back to themselves or shows no concern for how others feel, this is a major EQ red flag.

2. Blaming Others & Lack of Accountability

A person with low EQ will never take responsibility for their mistakes. Instead, they:
❌ Blame others for their failures
❌ Make excuses for their actions
❌ Refuse to own up to their decisions

In business, this can be incredibly damaging. If an employee never takes accountability, they’ll create conflict, stress, and inefficiency in your workspace.

3. Hyper-Sensitivity to Criticism

Nobody likes being criticized, but those with healthy EQ can handle constructive feedback. On the other hand, someone with low EQ will:
❌ Get overly defensive
❌ Take everything personally
❌ Struggle with teamwork

As a business owner, I’ve worked with people who couldn't handle even the smallest critiques. This made it impossible to collaborate effectively.

4. Poor Self-Reflection & Awareness

Self-awareness is a key trait of high EQ. If someone lacks self-reflection, they:
❌ Don’t recognize their own toxic behaviors
❌ Refuse to acknowledge how their mood affects others
❌ Struggle with communication and conflict resolution

A workplace should be a positive, productive space. But when someone has no awareness of how their negativity impacts others, they bring the entire team down.

5. Poor Coping Skills & Emotional Outbursts

People with low EQ often overreact or lash out emotionally. They:
❌ Have quick tempers
❌ Display frequent mood swings
❌ Become passive-aggressive or hostile

As a leader, I realized that allowing emotionally unstable individuals to stay in my business was hurting my team. I had to learn to set boundaries, recognize toxicity early, and make tough decisions for the sake of my company’s health.

Why Emotional Intelligence is Critical for Business Success

If you own a PMU studio, run an online business, or work in beauty entrepreneurship, EQ can make or break your success. Here’s why:

✔️ High EQ helps you manage stress & setbacks – Business is full of ups and downs. Strong emotional intelligence helps you stay calm, problem-solve, and adapt to challenges.

✔️ Great leaders have high EQ – Whether you’re running a PMU business or managing a team, you need emotional intelligence to motivate, inspire, and guide others.

✔️ EQ improves client relationships – If you can connect with clients on a deeper level, build trust, and manage emotions, your business will thrive.

✔️ Recognizing low EQ in others protects your business – Hiring someone with low EQ can be toxic for your work environment. Understanding these traits helps you avoid mistakes in hiring, partnerships, and friendships.

How to Develop Strong Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or leader, improving your EQ will help you grow. Here are a few ways to strengthen emotional intelligence:

✅ Practice Self-Awareness – Regularly reflect on your emotions, actions, and how they impact others. Journaling and mindfulness exercises help.

✅ Develop Empathy – Actively listen to others, put yourself in their shoes, and validate their feelings.

✅ Learn Emotional Regulation – Instead of reacting impulsively, practice pausing, breathing, and responding thoughtfully.

✅ Set Boundaries – Don’t tolerate toxic behaviors in your business or personal life. Recognizing low EQ red flags early will save you time and energy.

✅ Surround Yourself with High EQ People – If you want to grow, you need to be around people who support, challenge, and uplift you.

Final Thoughts: Protect Your Space & Energy

Over the past couple of years, I learned the hard way how damaging low EQ individuals can be. I spent too much time excusing toxic behaviors because I saw glimpses of good qualities in these people. But in the end, their negative traits outweighed the positive, and it harmed my business, my team, and my peace of mind.

If you’re a business owner, studio owner, or PMU artist, I encourage you to:
✨ Recognize low EQ traits early
✨ Set clear boundaries
✨ Invest in your own emotional intelligence

When you prioritize emotional intelligence, you attract the right people, build stronger relationships, and create a business culture that thrives.

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