According to the World EconomicForum's Future of Jobs Report, emotional intelligence will be one of the top 10 job skills in 2020. The awareness that emotional intelligence is an important job skill, in some cases even surpassing technical ability, has been growing in recent years.

In a 2011 Career Builder Survey of more than 2,600 hiring managers and human resource professionals, 71% stated they valued emotional intelligence in an employee over IQ; 75% said they were more likely to promote a highly emotionally intelligent worker; and 59% claimed they'd pass up a candidate with a high IQ but low emotional intelligence.

The question, then, is why companies are putting such a high premium on emotional intelligence. Here are seven of the top reasons why highly emotionally intelligent employees are so valuable.

They can handle pressure healthily

Dealing with workplace pressures and functioning well under stress demands an ability to manage our emotions. People with higher levels of emotional intelligence are more aware of how they are feeling, the impact that they are having on others as a result they are therefore better able to manage their stress levels. 

They tend to have better-developed coping mechanisms and healthy support systems that keep working effectively even in tough situations. The increasing rate of change in the workplace is likely to increase work-related stress and boost the value of those who can manage it.

They understand and cooperate with others. People with highly developed emotional intelligence are less defensive and more open to feedback, especially when it involves areas of improvement.

As teamwork becomes increasingly important in the workplace, people who are able to understand and get along with others will become ever more sought after. Highly emotionally intelligent people have well-developed people skills that let them build relationships with a diverse range of people across many cultures and backgrounds. That's an asset in an increasingly globalized workplace.

Emotionally intelligent leaders have the knack for establishing and maintaining mutually satisfying relationships characterized by positive expectations. They can gain the support and commitment of others and value working with others to achieve their goals.

They're good listeners

Everyone wants to be heard and understood. The ability to listen well and respond to others is crucial for developing strong working relationships. Many of us, though, aren't as good as we could be at really listening to what others are saying.

Because of their ability to understand others, highly emotionally intelligent people are in a better position to put their own emotions and desires aside and take others into account. Their ability to pick up on people's emotions, through tone of voice and body language, come in handy in team settings.

They're more open to feedback

Open, timely, and honest feedback is essential to job performance—especially at a time when annual performance reviews are in decline. People with highly developed emotional intelligence are less defensive and more open to feedback, especially when it involves areas of improvement. Their high level of self-regard lets them look positively at areas where they can do better, rather than taking feedback personally.

They're empathetic Highly emotionally intelligent people have the capacity to understand other people’s feelings and thoughts. They listen well and take into account other people’s feelings and circumstances before communicating their message or taking decisions.

People with high emotional intelligence are able to use their sensitivity to where others are coming from to build trust and cohesiveness. Empathetic people develop the habit of listening to others before speaking – seek first to understand, then to be understood. They take more time observing and asking genuine questions and then focus on establishing meaningful connection.

They are flexible and they set an example for others to follow

Highly emotionally intelligent people are able to adapt their thinking, feelings and actions in response to changing circumstances. Flexible people are tolerant of others and receptive to new ideas, when considering points of views.

Highly emotionally intelligent people don't get easily flustered when things don’t go according to plan. And their knack for getting along with others makes it more likely that others will take note and try to emulate them. That's why high emotional intelligence is a key to influencing people in your business regardless of official title.

They are Self-Aware

So they make more thoughtful and thorough decisions because of their ability to see things clearly from another’s point of view, highly emotionally intelligent people are able to make better judgments about how their decisions will impact others. Not only does this result in better decision making overall, but it also helps manage damage control when certain decisions lead to negative consequences. Being able to judge the outcomes of their choices lets highly emotionally intelligent people behave more proactively.

People who show an enhanced ability to adapt to change, manage their emotions, and work well with a diverse range of people are already valuable in most workplaces. But with the rates of change and pressures in the workplace rising, they'll become even more sought after than ever.