Daniel Goleman's international bestseller Emotional Intelligence forever changed our concept of "being smart," showing how emotional intelli...
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Nov 27, 2008
David
rated it: 
There are many books on the market these days describing leadership skills, but I thought this one had some particularly good insights. It places less emphasis on values like intelligence, vision, and strategy; and more on "emotional intelligence" - enthusiasm, empathy, relationship management, intuitive understanding. Using many real-world examples, the author tries to define and explain those key qualities. Good leaders bring out "resonance" among a team, while poor ones cr
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Sep 30, 2009
Michael
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This is one of the better books on leadership development that I've read. The content is definitely 5 stars but since the writing style is academic, it's not the most fun reading. It would be great for a class or an executive coaching program. Imagine what a writer like Malcolm Gladwell could do for this book!
Here are some of my thoughts and observations:
-The focus is very much on the development of emotionally intelligent leadership and how important such leaders are More...
Here are some of my thoughts and observations:
-The focus is very much on the development of emotionally intelligent leadership and how important such leaders are More...
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Oct 24, 2009
Applies the ideas of emotional intelligence to the sphere of management. Proves a relationship between emotional atmosphere and profitability. Identifies practical steps to achieving emotional intelligence. Most interesting part so far: the idea of the open loop limbic system. Unlike other biological systems that are self contained, i.e. the circulatory system, the limbic* portion of the brain interacts with its environment and thus with other people's actions.
*limbic system: a complex s More...
*limbic system: a complex s More...
Aug 02, 2011
It seems every decade has a business trend that is examined to death. Emotional intelligence is the latest trend to be microscopically examined. This was required reading for my husband's MBA program. This was another book read on a flight from LA to Minneapolis. It was not a bad book but it was not graduate level. This was further proof my husband's MBA program is dumbed down to the lowest possible denominator; if you are willing to pay $90k plus, you will be accepted into the program. Th
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Jun 10, 2011
Jon
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I have now read all of Goleman's books. They principally say the same thing which is that emotional intelligence is often more important and more effective than cognitive intelligence alone. After about 1,200 pages of getting the point drilled into my head, hopefully subconciously I've gained some insight and concepts I can practice. They use a myriad of examples. Which is great but my ability to retain it lacks because as I'm reading I'm not visualizing anything as the authors aren't really
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Nov 28, 2010
Mtbike40
rated it: 
I think that this is an excellent book about emotional intelligence and how someone can impact their leadership ability through self awareness and self control. While I noticed that some others had rated it down a star because of the writing style, I appreciated the data and research support provided throughout the book for the theories they were describing. I think that the practical business examples provided throughout the book provided us with real life reality checks. I made a great numb
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Aug 09, 2011
This book gets full marks in my opinion, but I would mention that it is not for everyone. This book is idea if you 1) already have worked in a few organizations enough to experience a variety of leadership styles 2) you have attempted and both failed and succeeded in some area of leadership. This book is then perfect and provides great examples on how to move forward. At the center of this book is a belief in the plasticity of the human mind.
I disagree that one should just read the first and More...
I disagree that one should just read the first and More...
Aug 12, 2010
Kim
rated it:
Class assignment: I created a blog for this book at http://primalleadershipbookreview.blogsp... that contains videos form the authors and other reviews about this book.
According to the book PRIMAL LEADERSHIP REALIZING THE POWER OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee, it takes emotional intelligence (EI) to be an effective leader. The book discusses what emotional intelligence is and gives many examples of the positive effect of six different More...
According to the book PRIMAL LEADERSHIP REALIZING THE POWER OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee, it takes emotional intelligence (EI) to be an effective leader. The book discusses what emotional intelligence is and gives many examples of the positive effect of six different More...
Jun 22, 2008
Polly
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This book was helpful to me, it had good advice and helped me clarify some thoughts and feelings I've been having around leadership that I had not previously been able to articulate. Goleman argues that one of the most important jobs of a leader is to regulate the emotional atmosphere of the community. Emotions are contagious, and people look to their leaders to set the mood and emotional tone. He also shows that effective leadership is a skill set that can be chosen and learned -- that good lea
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Mar 31, 2010
David
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The main thrust of this work is that leaders need emotional intelligence to succeed at the highest levels, the primary pillar being employee empathy. “Command and control” and pacesetter leadership styles usually create dissonance, not resonance, in the people they hope to lead and, at best, will result in short-term and suboptimal gains. Translation: bosses who are assholes aren’t leaders, they’re just assholes. This sounds obvious, but obviously isn’t, if you survey the workplace.
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Jan 10, 2011
Mike
rated it: 
The content is worthwhile, but generally it was really hard to follow. I think it was because both the writing and narration (audio book) seemed so dull. I can't tell you why - it was too numbing to have thought about it at the time.
If you are particularly interested in the idea of developing leadership skills through emotional intelligence (EI), it's a worthwhile read. Otherwise, it's probably a skip.
If you are particularly interested in the idea of developing leadership skills through emotional intelligence (EI), it's a worthwhile read. Otherwise, it's probably a skip.
May 23, 2008
Brett
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I really am fascinated by leadership, but I haven't found much that I've enjoyed reading on the subject. Most of the stuff out there seems to follow the same formula: All great leaders have vision (or some other generic term). Here's an example of a leader with great vision. Do you have vision? If you want to have more vision follow these steps: 1) Identify where you have vision. 2) Identify areas where you lack vision 3) Have more vision in those areas. Short anecdote.
But th More...
But th More...
Feb 27, 2011
Yuting
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A powerful book that clearly explains and articulates why leaders and managers, junior to senior fail. This book is an absolute game-changer for anyone wanting to be more successful in their personal or professional lives and want to understand what things they are doing that is contributing to their hardship and failure; and what they can do to improve and overcome
May 07, 2011
Mary
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I like management and leadership books that base recommendations on more than anecdotal evidence. These authors summarize other researchers' studies and base recommendations on their conclusions. It's a good resource for knowing what works; however, the book identifies successful leadership approaches without delving into how to initiate those changes.
Jan 23, 2011
Maureen
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Daniel Goleman is the go to guy for understanding EQ and this is his connection to leadership. I'm an executive coach and have frequently recommended this book. I wholeheartedly agree with his premise that no one spreads emotions more in an organization than a leader. Emotions matter to good business and you can connect the dots by reading this book.
Jul 04, 2011
Hillary
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A very readable book on emotional intelligence and the science behind it, as well as implications and applications to leadership. This coincides and backs much of what Clay has been studying in his PhD in marriage & family counseling - the areas of EFT and attachment. Really important read for anyone in leadership.
Jul 31, 2011
I found the section on individual development of emotional intelligence related to leadership helpful -- both for personal development and for developing these skills in the people I work with. The section on teams was good, but Lencioni's 5 Dysfunctions is better -- many of the same concepts, but Lencioni gives a better road map to application.
Jul 24, 2011
Stephen
rated it:
Read JAN 2008
This was a good read for understanding emotional intelligence. EI is an unfortunate label, especially for manufacturing or wholesale environments. Goleman and his colleagues did a good job of focusing the discussion in business terms.
This was a good read for understanding emotional intelligence. EI is an unfortunate label, especially for manufacturing or wholesale environments. Goleman and his colleagues did a good job of focusing the discussion in business terms.
Apr 09, 2009
Darwin
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This book has some deep and meaninful information. For me, it required some deep concentration and thoughtfulness, otherwise I would miss a lot of the intended message. So, it is taking a long time for me to complete.
Mar 16, 2008
Carrie
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I thought this book does a fantastic job, not only of discussing emotional intelligence in the workplace, but also summarizing some of the most important points of a very large body of literature on leadership, culture, organizational learning and change -- in an extremely accessible, non-academic way. Unlike many business bestsellers, this is backed up by years of solid and consistent and very high quality academic research (this is essentially my dissertation topic, so I know at least a bit
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May 23, 2011
Chris
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Not surprising. Got more out of this book than I did two or three years ago. What was interesting theory before is now battle-tested wisdom!
Loved the analogy of the bag of golf clubs. Take aways: Pacesetting leadership is like a sand wedge. Use it only when you're in trouble and need to get back in the game quickly. It's not the club you ever want to use because it means you're in trouble. But once in a round is okay. Problem is: some people who are unable to switch clubs can More...
Loved the analogy of the bag of golf clubs. Take aways: Pacesetting leadership is like a sand wedge. Use it only when you're in trouble and need to get back in the game quickly. It's not the club you ever want to use because it means you're in trouble. But once in a round is okay. Problem is: some people who are unable to switch clubs can More...
Jun 29, 2009
Samantha
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Kind of new-agey. But a lot of it is common sense. People will like you more and listen to you more if you are nice to them. If you are positive person that rubs off on others...
Sep 16, 2010
Frode
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This book goes into depth on emotional intelligence. A factor basically all leadership schoolars find important. It is an excellent reference to have in the bookshelf.
Oct 19, 2011
Julie
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I read this book about five years ago as a text book in a leadership course while working toward my doctorate. This year I attended an amazing women's leadership seminar where we spent two days talking about Emotinal Intelligence and reviewing Goleman's work. As I sat here today thinking about an upcoming job interview, I decided to pick it up and read it again. This book is a powerful tool that clearly and plaining outlines the four dimensions of EI and the competencies that go along with each.
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Apr 08, 2011
Vinny
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Sorry Paco. I just couldn't buy into the discussions about the brain and emotions and how that makes connections to others.
Mar 11, 2011
Brian
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Best best on leadership I've ever read, and the most useful one from my Organizational Leadership Master's program.
Apr 18, 2011
Kristen
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Great book - gives clear instruction on how and why to use emotional intelligence in the workplace.
Sep 28, 2009
Josh
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Great way of looking at different forms of leadership in order to become a more complete leader on your own.
Mar 31, 2009
Anthony
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I really enjoyed this book and think it should be a great addition to any leader's arsenal.
Aug 05, 2010
Nicole
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great book about what it means to be a real leader - with emotional intelligence
