Question

Should managers use emotional intelligence tests ("EI") and the Big 5 Personality Model to predict individual success in an organization? What are the benefits to the organization? What are the drawbacks to the organization?

Answer 1

Emotional intelligence is a useful hack that managers try to predict the performances of their employees. It has a positive relationship with job satisfaction and performances. According to the research, employees who have higher emotional intelligence are more satisfied with their job. A person with high EI level indicates that the person has a better ability to control their emotions when it is necessary. These employees are more focused on their tasks, and they react less in external disturbances. Emotional intelligence measures an employee’s mental stability which is essential to perform better in the workplace. Thus, managers are using EI tests to understand employee’s performances. However, several behavioral scientists have argued with this fact and mentioned that emotional intelligence could only predict 8.4% of employee’s performances, but the general mental ability can predict 26% of job performances. Hence, managers cannot make authentic decisions using emotional intelligence tests on their employees.
Big five personality model is related to the job performances of the employees and managers are also trying to use this model on their employees. Employers now hire talented and productive employees using a big five personality model. This model ensures five characteristic traits of an employee which are essential to perform well within the organization. These five characteristics are:
Openness to experience: this signifies the urge of an employee to seek experiences through various challenges.  
Conscientiousness: this highlights the quality of being organized, self-dependant, and self disciplines.
Extroversion: it is characterized by positiveness, sociability and assertiveness
Agreeableness: it indicates the compassionate and cooperative characteristics of the employees.
Neuroticism: it is the ability to handle unpleasant situations like anxiety, depression, and anger.
All of these personalities are essential for doing the job in corporate sectors, and thus, managers can evaluate employees through the big five personality model.