Conducted in co-operation with Canada Life and Workplace Strategies for Mental Health from data gathered online from over 1800 respondents by Pollara Strategic Insights March 2022,

This study examined the self-perceived emotional intelligence of respondents through agreeing or disagreeing to a series of statements regarding their own their own emotions and those of others in the workplace.

Key Findings include:

  • The average emotional intelligence score of employed Canadians is 7.1/10. 14% of respondents perceived themselves as having high emotional intelligence and only 1% scored themselves low.

  • A comparison with results from a 2012 study shows that the social intelligence of managers has not increased in the past decade. 53% of managers have been identified as “challenged” in one or more area.

  • Demographic breakdowns showed little difference in overall emotional intelligence scores of women and men, though they demonstrate confidence in different areas.

  • Older Canadians (55+) perceive themselves as having high emotional intelligence than those aged 18 to 54 in every area except for “feeling comfortable dealing with others’ negative emotions”.