Review - Emotional Intelligence

The tenth anniversary of this book was just recently published, and I read it for a book club. Daniel Goleman, the author, has some very interesting statistics he has culled from years of psychological studies. The one I will highlight here is: classical I.Q. makes up only 20% of a successful career and life. The other 80% is largely due to one's ability to recognize the roles others play in day to day life and how we fit into the picture. Goleman spends some time covering the existential basis for cognition and lays out the neurological mode and nervous system synaptic way of perception, but is most convincing when he highlights case studies of people first in their childhood, and later in adulthood. If you are unable to put yourself in the other person's shoes, and in short are lacking the ability to be empathetic, you most likely are causing first yourself, then your family and coworkers and friends much sorrow, frustration and even harm. The good news, being empathetic can be learned. It is not something you're just born with and have to play the cards you've been delt. You can change your behaviour, your old habits, and make yourself a better person in the process! I highly recommend this book for anyone who works with people and especially those who are a member of any team, be it sports, professional, or spiritual. A very enlightening read indeed.