Working With Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

Working with Emotional Intelligence, written by legendary psychologist Daniel Goleman, is an extensively researched guidebook helping any reader understand and become more self-aware of their own emotions and how to manage them effectively. This book was released in 1998 and is now a top-seller, having sold over five million copies worldwide. Through his skillful analysis and synthesis of research and real-world applications, Goleman provides a comprehensive, science-based account of the importance of taking into account emotion when it comes to achieving success and being a leader.

The book is broken up into two separate parts. The first part outlines and discusses the concept of emotional intelligence and its importance to living and working successfully. Taking foundational ideas from psychology and neuroscience, Goleman defines emotional intelligence as the capacity to recognize, understand, and manage one’s emotions and those of others. He outlines the personal and professional benefits that come from having a high emotional intelligence, which he finds are especially useful in the workplace. He further explains the five components that make up emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, internal motivation, empathy, and social skills. The second part of the book goes into greater detail to give readers real-world advice on how to increase their own emotional intelligence and subsequently their success.

In a workplace setting, the goal is to reach peak performance and productivity, avoid burnout, foster cooperation among workers, and reduce the risk of hostile work environments. Additionally, individuals should strive to recognize the emotions that come with difficult situations in order to respond better and get the job done effectively. Goleman provides insight into how managers can cultivate a workplace that values and encourages emotional intelligence. He explains that leaders must be well-versed in how to recognize and appreciate their employees’ emotions, while at the same time managing their own emotions in a way that helps to motivate employees and conduct meaningful conversations.

Furthermore, Goleman helps readers understand how different components of emotional intelligence – such as self-awareness, empathy and social skills – are important in taking into account not just logic and data, but also the often-unspoken elements of human interaction like relationships and feelings. He recommends that organizations create policies and practices that foster a work environment where people feel comfortable and supported in expressing their feelings and being themselves.

The value that Working with Emotional Intelligence provides to readers is not limited to the workplace; it also drills down into more personal aspects of life where one’s emotional state is important, such as romantic relationships, parenting, and friendships. Goleman provides strategies for managing emotions, controlling impulsivity, and improving communication.

In sum, this remarkable book offers something for everyone. Not only is there a great deal of invaluable advice from an expert in the field, but there are also many exercises throughout to help readers learn how to cultivate emotional intelligence. This book enables readers to effectively handle stress and anxiety, show respect to others, be more present and self-aware, and form relationships based on trust. This is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore the power of emotional intelligence to create personal and professional success.