Matthew Curtis
A take on the importance of Emotional intelligence (EQ vs IQ)
What is Emotional Intelligence?
The ability to solve quadratic equations may be a function of a person's IQ, but the ability to deal with everyday job stresses, shifting priorities, demanding customers, and difficult co-workers is a function of EQ or emotional intelligence.
In fact, employees who score high on the EQ scale work with a different, yet vitally important kind of intelligence. That's not to say that intellect or IQ is not important. Incredible progress has been made in business over the years by applying our intellect to our toughest problems. We've engineered some of the very best equipment and machinery. We've reduced our costs. We've driven our productivity up. We've improved our processes based on sound facts. So, make no mistake, intellect has proven invaluable and will continue to be invaluable to drive our businesses to success.
If we want to soar beyond our present horizons, we must blend the progress that we've made in business using intellect and IQ with the invaluable competencies of emotional intelligence or EQ. It is our emotional intelligence that will solve our retention, morale and employee engagement problems, improve our creativity, create synergy from teamwork, drive our purpose, and ignite the best and most inspired performance from our people.
So what is emotional intelligence? Emotional intelligence is the dimension of intelligence responsible for our ability to manage ourselves and our relationships with others. Included are skills that drive our internal world as well as our response to the external world.
There are five key components of emotional intelligence. They include: a well-honed timing for emotional expression and emotional control; empathy for others; social expertise that allows us to develop strong working relationships; personal influence that helps us advance our purpose with others; and an integrity that aligns us with our life's purpose.
Each day in the workplace, an employee's emotional intelligence is put to the test.
How an employee reacts to situations will build goodwill and co-operation with customers and co-workers or will drive wedges into strained relationships. When an employee can master appropriate internal emotional reactions to situations and also master his external response, that employee is working with a high level of emotional intelligence. Too often, feelings of self-doubt, frustration or anger will take over and control a person's outward expression in a particular situation. How many times have you heard a person say, "I just couldn't help it, I was just so frustrated I just reacted to...?"
As an employer, it's important that you recognise that those reactions can also paralyze the work that gets done. Underlying tensions and emotions make their way to every meeting and every encounter in the workplace. Yes, I know, you have probably been taught that emotion doesn't belong in the workplace. But the reality is that it's inescapable. Emotion is present in the workplace - everyday, everywhere. Therefore, as you have improved your business by way of applying intellectual resources, now is the time to recognise that you can also make dramatic improvements that will help you reach your business goals by improving the emotional intelligence of your workforce. Unlike IQ, which tends to remain fixed throughout a person's lifetime, emotional intelligence can be improved over time.
M4C uses proprietary assessment tools to help individuals understand their own personality traits, their communication preferences and how to spot the behaviours and traits of those around them. Armed with this understanding of self and others we can then work on our own style flexibility and learn to look at the world not only through our own lens and unconscious biases but also the lens of others.
Understanding self, flexibility and communication are the cornerstones of programmes designed to help build better leadership and coaching behaviours into your everyday work conversations to release the potential of your teams.
In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, agility and expertise are more critical than ever. For UK businesses—especially SMEs and startups—accessing top-tier leadership without the financial burden of full-time executive hires is no longer a pipe dream. Enter the fractional director : a flexible, cost-effective solution that’s reshaping how companies scale, strategise, and succeed. What Is a Fractional Director? A fractional director is a seasoned executive—such as a CFO, CMO, or Commercial Director—who works with a business on a part-time, interim, or project basis. Unlike traditional full-time hires, fractional directors bring high-level strategic insight and leadership while offering the flexibility to engage only when needed. The Business Case for Fractional Leadership UK companies are increasingly embracing fractional leadership, and the reasons are compelling: Access to Elite Talent : Fractional directors often come with decades of experience across industries. For smaller firms that may struggle to attract full-time C-suite talent, fractional roles open the door to expertise that would otherwise be out of reach. Cost Efficiency : Businesses report savings of 40–60% in labour costs by hiring fractional executives compared to full-time counterparts This model allows companies to pay only for the time and expertise they need—no overheads, no long-term commitments. Strategic Agility : Fractional directors are adept at hitting the ground running. Whether it’s navigating a growth phase, entering new markets, or managing change, they deliver rapid impact with minimal disruption. Scalability and Flexibility : Companies can scale leadership resources up or down based on evolving needs. This is especially valuable in uncertain economic climates, where adaptability is key. Objective Decision-Making : Operating outside internal politics, fractional directors offer unbiased perspectives and challenge the status quo—often leading to innovative solutions and improved performance . A Growing Trend in the UK The rise of fractional working in the UK is more than a passing trend—it’s a strategic shift. In early 2025, around 5% of UK employees were in interim roles, with many more operating as independent contractors. Why Now? Post-pandemic shifts, economic uncertainty, and the rise of AI-driven automation have all contributed to a rethinking of traditional employment models. Businesses are under pressure to stay lean while still accessing the strategic leadership needed to thrive. Fractional directors offer a way to do just that. As Roei Samuel, CEO of Connectd, puts it: “Fractional leadership isn’t a stopgap. It’s a scalable, sustainable model for the future of work that enables smaller companies to grow smarter.” Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Scale For UK businesses looking to stay competitive, fractional directors offer a powerful blend of expertise, flexibility, and financial efficiency. Whether you're a startup navigating early growth or an established firm seeking fresh strategic insight, fractional leadership could be the key to unlocking your next phase of success. At M4C Ltd , we help businesses connect with the right fractional talent to drive transformation and growth. Get in touch to explore how a fractional director could elevate your business.
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
In today’s dynamic business landscape, the need for flexible, expert leadership is more critical than ever. Enter the fractional director—a seasoned executive who brings not just valuable skills, deep industry experience, and strategic insight, but also the much-needed capacity to get things done. At M4C Ltd, we believe that fractional directors are the secret weapon for businesses ready to accelerate growth and drive meaningful change. The Dual Value Proposition of Fractional Directors Expertise That Transforms Strategy Fractional directors come equipped with years of experience from diverse sectors. Their wealth of knowledge helps businesses to.. Develop Clear Strategies: They offer an external perspective that cuts through internal noise, crafting clear, actionable strategies. Identify Growth Opportunities: With a keen eye for emerging trends, they can pinpoint opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked. Guide Critical Decision-Making: Their informed advice ensures that every strategic move is backed by data and real-world insights. Hands-On Execution: Bringing Capacity to Your Team While many leaders provide excellent advice, fractional directors are unique in their commitment to execution. They don’t just set the direction—they work as part of your team to make progress happen.. Bridging the Gap: They act as a critical link between high-level strategy and day-to-day operations, ensuring that plans are not just designed but effectively implemented. Immediate Impact: With the ability to hit the ground running, fractional directors offer an immediate boost in capacity, helping your business to overcome operational bottlenecks and speed up project timelines. Cost-Effective Leadership: By engaging fractional directors, companies gain access to top-tier expertise without the overhead of a full-time executive salary. This model is particularly beneficial for SMEs and growing businesses that need robust leadership without breaking the bank. Real-World Success: Making Strategy Work Consider the case of businesses that have partnered with fractional directors during times of transition or rapid growth. These leaders have been instrumental in.. Streamlining Operations: By re-engineering processes, they enable teams to work more efficiently. Driving Revenue Growth: Their strategic interventions have often resulted in measurable improvements in sales and market penetration. Enhancing Team Morale: By providing clear direction and hands-on support, they empower teams to tackle challenges confidently and collaboratively. Why does M4C Champion the Fractional Director Model? Our commitment is to help businesses not just dream big but also achieve their ambitions. We recognize that the modern business environment demands agile, responsive leadership that can balance high-level strategy with day-to-day operational needs. Our fractional directors are dedicated to.. Partnering: We integrate seamlessly with your existing processes to ensure that every strategy is actionable. Focusing on Measurable Outcomes: From boosting efficiency to driving revenue, our focus is on delivering results that matter. Empowering Your Business: By augmenting your leadership capacity, we ensure that you’re never alone in navigating complex challenges. The Bottom Line: Ready, Set, Execute! If your business is ready to unlock new levels of growth and efficiency, it’s time to consider the power of fractional directors. They don’t just offer advice—they roll up their sleeves and work with you to get things done. Let’s turn strategic plans into tangible results together.