Emotional Intelligence (EI) or Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ i 2.0)
Emotional intelligence insights for leadership, teamwork and sustainable performance
At Esterhuizen Consulting and Coaching (ECCSA), we use the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ i 2.0) to help organisations unlock their full potential at the individual, team and leadership level, by turning “soft skills” into measurable, coachable capabilities.
EQ i 2.0 is a scientifically developed measure of emotional and social skills that influence how people:
- perceive and express themselves
- build and sustain relationships
- cope with pressure and change
- use emotional information to make effective decisions
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” – Aristotle
What EQ i 2.0 measures
EQ i 2.0 provides a Total Emotional Intelligence score, supported by multiple validity checks, and five practical workplace composites:
- 🧭 Self Perception (self-regard, self-actualisation, emotional self-awareness)
- 🗣️ Self Expression (emotional expression, assertiveness, independence)
- 🤝 Interpersonal (relationships, empathy, social responsibility)
- 🧠 Decision Making (problem solving, reality testing, impulse control)
- 🌿 Stress Management (flexibility, stress tolerance, optimism)
- 😊 Well-being Indicator (happiness)
This makes it particularly useful when you need to develop emotionally intelligent leadership, strengthen collaboration, or improve resilience in high-pressure roles.
Where EQ i 2.0 fits in talent management
Use EQ i 2.0 when you want better answers to questions like:
- Who can lead through complexity without creating unnecessary conflict?
- Who stays steady under pressure and who becomes reactive?
- Which teams have strong intent but struggle with trust, feedback, or accountability?
- What development focus will deliver the biggest behaviour shift, fastest?
Typical applications include:
- 👤 Leadership and professional development coaching
- 🧩 Team effectiveness and culture interventions
- 🎯 Selection support for roles where people leadership, client engagement, or judgement under pressure matters
- 📈 Measuring growth before and after development initiatives
Report options you can use (practical and coach friendly)
Depending on your goal, we can select the reporting format that best supports decision-making and development:
- Workplace report (includes coach and client versions)
- Leadership report (leadership lens with optional comparison to top leaders)
- Group report (team level strengths and development needs)
- 360 feedback reports (Workplace EQ 360 and Leadership EQ 360 for multi-rater insight)
- Higher education report (for student development contexts)
How ECCSA delivers EQ i 2.0 well
We do not treat EQ i 2.0 as a standalone scorecard. We integrate it into a defensible, business-relevant process:
- Clarify role outcomes and success behaviours (what “good” looks like in your context)
- Select the right assessment mix (EQ i 2.0 plus complementary tools when needed)
- Administer and interpret responsibly (validity checks, context, and ethical use)
- Feedback that changes behaviour (clear, developmental, and practical)
- Development plan and measurement (coaching goals, team actions, and progress review)
Because ECCSA is not tied to only one provider, we can customise talent management solutions by combining EQ i 2.0 with other assessments already on your roadmap, for example, CPP, CPA, OPQ, WRISc, and targeted competency frameworks, to build a stronger overall talent picture.
Practical assessment details
- ⏱️ Administration time: about 20 to 30 minutes
- 👥 Age range: 18 years and older
- 📊 Norms: South African and global norms available
- 🧾 Model foundation: based on the Bar On EQi model (Reuven Bar On)
Ethical and legal alignment in South Africa
In South Africa, workplace assessments must meet the requirements of the Employment Equity Act for validity, reliability, fairness, and absence of bias. Psychometric testing is prohibited unless these requirements are met.
We take responsible use seriously, including appropriate professional oversight and fit-for-purpose assessment design.
Speak to Us About Emotional Intelligence Assessments
If you want emotionally intelligent leadership that holds up under pressure, and teams that perform with trust and accountability, EQ i 2.0 can be a powerful part of your talent strategy.
Book an EQ i 2.0 consultation with ECCSA and we will recommend the best assessment and development pathway for your roles, level, and context.