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"...explains why empathy,
self-awareness, and self- discipline is essential to success and positive human
interaction."
Is IQ destiny? Not nearly as
much as we think. This fascinating and persuasive program argues that our view
of human intelligence is far too narrow, ignoring a crucial range of abilities
that matter immensely in terms of how we do in life.
Drawing on
groundbreaking brain and behavioral research, Daniel Goleman shows the factors
at work when people of high IQ flounder and those of modest IQ do well. These
factors add up to a different way of being smart--one he terms "emotional
intelligence." This includes self-awareness and impulse control, persistence,
zeal and self-motivation, empathy and social deftness.
These are the
qualities that mark people who excel in life, whose relationships flourish, who
are stars in the workplace. Lack of emotional intelligence can sabotage the
intellect and ruin careers. Perhaps the greatest toll is on children, for whom
risks include depression, eating disorders, unwanted pregnancies, aggressiveness
and crime.
But the news is hopeful. Emotional intelligence is not fixed
at birth, and the author shows how its vital qualities can be nurtured and
strengthened in all of us. And because the emotional lessons a child learns
actually sculpt the brain's circuitry, he provides guidance as to how parents
and schools can best use this window of opportunity in childhood. The message of
this eye-opening program is one we must take to heart: the true "bell curve" for
a democracy must measure emotional intelligence
This international #1
bestseller, which spent a year on PW's list, explains why EI can be more
important than IQ. (July)
Scientific data emerging from
studies using new brain imaging technologies have yielded fresh understanding of
how emotions work and, argues the author, suggest ways to regulate the more
negative emotions responsible for the horrendous acts of violence that are the
stuff of daily headlines. The book calls for universal adoption of educational
curricula that teach youngsters how to regulate their emotional responses and to
resolve conflict peacefully. Along the way Goleman summarizes much of the best
psychological work of the last few decades on such topics as the importance of
learned optimism, the theory of multiple intelligences, the role of innate
temperamental differences, and the importance of emotional intelligence in
marriage, management, and medicine. Based on good empirical data (unlike many
popular psychology books), this fine example is recommended for academic and
larger public libraries.Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, Wash.
Goleman, psychologist and
science writer for The New York Times, explains how the rational and emotional
work together to shape intelligence, using intriguing new information from
neuroscience and psychology of the brain. Annotation c. Book News, Inc.,
Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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A reviewer, August 16, 2005,
One of the things the author points out in this book is the
importance that hopefullness and a positve outlook play in the success or
failure of living. What he fails to do is provide a real sense of either by
falling into the trap of overestimating the importance that genetics and early
childhood experiences have on ones emotional makeup. Granted, he does point out
that those of us who may have been born with less than optimal temperment
further [messed] up by poor parenting and childhood trauma, can relearn or
overcome these hindereances (although there doesn't really seem to be much
written on how to) he goes on to offer study after study of how you either have
it or don't by the age of 4! Overall, it had some very interesting tidbits in
it, like how monkey's behave and show empathy for fellow creatures, and how good
parenting skills can help children have better emotional skills (as if any
intelligent person hasn't figured that out yet!) but there isn't much here on
how to cultivate good emotional health and heal from emotional damage. Perhaps
that wasn't really the focus of this book, but rather it was to point out the
importance of emotional intelligence, leaving the opportunity to write another
book, on how to cultivate it.
Also recommended: Emotional
Intelligence Quick Book
A reviewer, January 13, 2004,
This book could have been good if it wasn't so wrapped up
in evolution. Although some views appear to be well thought out, the over all
message is diluted with theories that are not proven. This tends to discredit
the book as a whole. Understanding emotions is key to healthy living but, how
does one calculate the capacity for emotions throughout the history of
humankind? Why is their no mention of where emotions began, remember the amoeba?
This happened right after the acid rain wash over the rock. Overall, I am
disappointed in spending money for this book. It sounds like the author is stuck
in the religion of the public school system which is unfortunate because some
good ideas are wasted.
Lyno Sanchez
(linosanchez@hotmail.com), an operations executive in LA, January 12, 2004,
Emotional intelligence was a thought provoking book that
I've introduced to many of my friends. It's a great way to frame an important
side of life. There's a new one you should get to, called the Emotional
Intelligence Quickbook. I found it on Amazon and it's much shorter, and the
conversational style is easy to follow. Both books are great and the Quickbook
is the one I'm giving away now because it's fast and easy to read.
Also recommended: The
Emotional Intelligence Appraisal The Emotional Intelligence
Quickbook
A reviewer,
September 24, 2003,
This book was only written a few years ago but it is
already a classic! It opened the eyes of our culture to another side of human
consciousness anf functioning. Although we still have a long way to go in
developing a full understanding of the emotional aspects of ourselves, this book
provided us an wonderful opportunity to move in that direction. The book that
has taken us one more step in that direction is 'The Ever-Transcending Spirit'
by Toru Sato. Though Goleman's book helped me become more aware of this aspect
of myself, reading Sato's book has increased my emotional intelligence level
immensely! Both books are essential readings for the evolution of our
consciousness.
Also recommended: The
Ever-Transcending Spirit by Toru Sato
A reviewer,
February 20, 2003,
I like Daniel Goleman's explanation of emotional
intelligence. As so many of our decisions are emotionally based, it is
imperative that we understand the value of emotions and how to intelligently
deal with them. My favorite book on emotional intelligence is Optimal Thinking
-- How to Be Your Best Self by Rosalene Glickman, Ph.D. She offers a roadmap to
deal with disturbing emotions, and a roadmap for specific emotions. She shows
you how to use emotions as optimization signals. If you read both books, you'll
have it all.
Also recommended: Optimal
Thinking -- How to Be Your Best Self by Rosalene Glickman,
Ph.D.
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Daniel
Goleman, Ph.D., is founder of Emotional Intelligence Services in Boston,
Massachusetts. For twelve years he covered the behavioral and brain sciences for
the The New York Times, and has also taught at Harvard (where he received
his doctorate). In addition to Emotional Intelligence, his previous books
include Vital Lies, Simple Truths; The Meditative Mind; and, as
co-author, The Creative Spirit.
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