Managing the Matrix: The Secret to Surviving and Thriving in Your Organization

9

A Short and (Emotionally) Intelligent Review

Debra was pleased to be home and on her sofa. She had promised herself an early night with the book Johann had lent her. She was still surprised (and a bit amused) that such a gruff, ex-army type was this convinced that, beyond the most junior level when proving technical ability was important, emotional intelligence was the answer to a successful and less stressful career in a matrix organization. She knew that he was a real believer and he had convinced her that emotions led to behaviour and so deserved notice. However, she wasn't sure how that solved any of the problems she had or was likely to have.

She opened up the first page. The more interesting questions, she thought, were “how is this useful, in practical terms” and “can it be taught?”.

Debra laughed when she thought about the likely spectrum of emotional intelligence. “What if it was like spatial intelligence? Her lack of that was what she used to explain why she had failed her driving test eight times! Maybe we should be testing for emotional intelligence or, at least, the ability to learn it when we recruit? We could save a lot of trouble if it's that important? Is that even possible? I must remember to Google that.”

Debra's eyes closed as she came to the final page of the book and that was all she knew until she woke, disorientated, in the dark three hours later.