Entrepreneurs on Fire If You Think Emotional Intelligence is BS, Then You Probably Don't Have Any with Matt Kursh: An EOFire Classic from 2022
Nov 14, 2025
Matt Kursh, CEO and co-founder of Oji Life Lab, shares his extensive experience in emotional intelligence training and decision-making. He discusses the importance of practicing emotional skills for personal growth and success, debunking myths that emotional intelligence is non-existent. Matt highlights careers that demand high emotional awareness and offers a two-step framework to boost emotional intelligence, emphasizing recognition and regulation. He concludes that real improvement comes from consistent effort and practice in honing these vital skills.
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Being A Jerk Is Not A Winning Strategy
- Many people mistake jerk-like behavior as a pathway to success because they see aggressive leaders succeed.
- Matt Kursh argues that lacking other interpersonal settings loses opportunities and isn't a true winning strategy.
Emotions Are Constant Data Streams
- Emotions are short-term pleasant or unpleasant responses to stimuli that affect performance.
- Kursh notes emotions always matter unless you have a mythical job without people or distractions.
Surgeon Story Demonstrates EQ Necessity
- Kursh recounts a journalist who called EQ "bullshit" and challenges him with a surgeon scenario.
- The surgeon nearly crashed, is angry, then picks up a scalpel — you want that surgeon to regulate emotions.