The Superpower Every Great Recruiter Needs… (Even Us High-D Types)

Let’s get real.

I’m a D on the DISC profile – dominant, driven, direct.
My default setting?
Move fast. Solve the problem. Get results.

Sound like you?
Then you already know emotional intelligence (EQ) doesn’t always come naturally.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Without EQ, we’re average. With it, we’re unstoppable.

So… What Is EQ?

Emotional intelligence is your ability to:

• • Recognise and manage your own emotions
  • Tune into other people’s emotions
  • And use that awareness to guide decisions, reactions, and relationships

It’s not fluff.
It’s not about being “nice.”
It’s about being smart with people.
Which is literally the business we’re in.

Because we’re not just matching CVs to job descriptions.
We’re solving human puzzles.

Sales? You’ve got to read the room, know when to push and when to pause.
Candidates? You’re managing nerves, egos, doubts, dreams.
Clients? You’re navigating expectations, frustrations, urgency, and politics.
Your team? They’re watching how you respond under pressure.

Without EQ, we bulldoze.
With it, we build trust, buy-in, and long-term relationships that drive real revenue.

As a high-D, I used to think: “I care about people – what more do you want?”
But I was missing the cues.
I was charging ahead when I should’ve been curious.
I was solving before truly listening.

I’ve had to train myself to slow down – not to stop the action, but to make it better, smarter, more human.
And you know what?
My results went through the roof.

How To Build EQ
(Even If You’re Not Wired That Way)

Pause before you pounce.

Check in – how are they feeling? How are you showing up?

Ask the better question:
Go deeper than “Are you interested?” Try: “What’s most important to you in your next role?”

Learn to read the room:
Voice tone, pacing, words people avoid – that’s where the truth lives.

Use EQ to close:
Selling is emotional. Great closers don’t just handle objections – they feel what’s behind them.

Bottom Line?

In recruitment, EQ isn’t optional. It’s the edge.
And if you’re a high-D like me, mastering it won’t slow you down –
It’ll take your whole damn business to the next level.

Ready to sharpen your EQ muscle?
Start with one conversation today where you listen twice as much as you talk.
Bet you close more deals.

– Jo