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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
reflective
informative
fast-paced
Not bad for a "business management" book, though the patronizing tone of this genre always irks. Like most some books, long on platitudes and clichés and stating the obvious but short on detail and specific. And, of course, some questionable assumptions and conclusions. But not a bad little book to have on an office shelve, especially if you aspire to middle management and no higher.
This is a really excellent book about the importance of social awareness and managing one's emotions in the workplace to develop stronger relationships, build leadership and trust, contribute to a teamwork environment, and create an overall better functioning business. This is a must-read for people in any area of work: healthcare, business, customer service, etc. There is an online quiz included that allows the reader to identify his or her strengths and areas for improvement, and the book addresses helpful tips for the four main areas of emotional intelligence: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness and Relationship Management.
Self-Awareness involves understanding one's emotions and how one's self is perceived by others: "The only way to genuinely understand your emotions is to spend enough time thinking through them to figure out where they come from and why they are there... When you are self-aware you are far more likely to pursue the right opportunities, put your strengths to work and -- perhaps most importantly -- keep your emotions from holding you back."
Self-Management builds on awareness. It is the ability to respond appropriately in emotionally-charged situations: "Your eruptions are no different from a volcano -- there is all sorts of rumbling happening beneath the surface before the lava starts flowing."
Social Awareness requires identifying the emotions and attitudes of others and the overall feel of a group in order to adjust to that setting: "Social awareness is your ability to accurately pick up on emotions in other people and understand what is really going on with them. This often means perceiving what other people are thinking and feeling even if you do not feel the same way." Social awareness is also the recognition that emotions are contagious, which has positive and negative implications.
Relationship Management builds on all these traits in learning to build meaningful professional relationships that function effectively, despite disagreements and emotional situations: "Relationship management is your ability to use your awareness of your own emotions and those of others to manage interactions successfully. This ensures clear communication and effective handling of conflict."
Self-Awareness involves understanding one's emotions and how one's self is perceived by others: "The only way to genuinely understand your emotions is to spend enough time thinking through them to figure out where they come from and why they are there... When you are self-aware you are far more likely to pursue the right opportunities, put your strengths to work and -- perhaps most importantly -- keep your emotions from holding you back."
Self-Management builds on awareness. It is the ability to respond appropriately in emotionally-charged situations: "Your eruptions are no different from a volcano -- there is all sorts of rumbling happening beneath the surface before the lava starts flowing."
Social Awareness requires identifying the emotions and attitudes of others and the overall feel of a group in order to adjust to that setting: "Social awareness is your ability to accurately pick up on emotions in other people and understand what is really going on with them. This often means perceiving what other people are thinking and feeling even if you do not feel the same way." Social awareness is also the recognition that emotions are contagious, which has positive and negative implications.
Relationship Management builds on all these traits in learning to build meaningful professional relationships that function effectively, despite disagreements and emotional situations: "Relationship management is your ability to use your awareness of your own emotions and those of others to manage interactions successfully. This ensures clear communication and effective handling of conflict."
informative
fast-paced
This is the book I wanted the original EI book to be. Instead of just talking about how important EI is, it actually gives ideas for improving your EI skills.
I just wasn't that into it. I think the book has a lot of great points and exercises, but I don't think it's written well enough to be very effective. I would have liked more anecdotes and examples.
slow-paced
This seemed like a long commercial for their classes more than a self help guide.
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Meh.
I'm giving this a higher rating than I want to, only because I'm sure this book could be very helpful and enlightening for some people. I'd even imagine that the insights presented here have made a demonstrably positive impact on the emotional intelligence of many. But for me, I found myself saying "well, duh" after almost every chapter.
I'm not saying that I have incredibly high emotional intelligence, or that I'm somehow too good for this book- I just expected to be given better advice than "count to 10, don't forget to breathe." I feel like I gained an appreciation for EQ as a valid measure of personal and professional success, and maybe picked up a couple of helpful tips... Beyond that, I'd say that this book could have been shortened into a small pamphlet and it would contain just as much value.
I only read this because it was the group book at my office, and most of us felt similarly about it. I don't recommend it unless emotional intelligence is one of your significant weak points. 5 out of 10.
I'm giving this a higher rating than I want to, only because I'm sure this book could be very helpful and enlightening for some people. I'd even imagine that the insights presented here have made a demonstrably positive impact on the emotional intelligence of many. But for me, I found myself saying "well, duh" after almost every chapter.
I'm not saying that I have incredibly high emotional intelligence, or that I'm somehow too good for this book- I just expected to be given better advice than "count to 10, don't forget to breathe." I feel like I gained an appreciation for EQ as a valid measure of personal and professional success, and maybe picked up a couple of helpful tips... Beyond that, I'd say that this book could have been shortened into a small pamphlet and it would contain just as much value.
I only read this because it was the group book at my office, and most of us felt similarly about it. I don't recommend it unless emotional intelligence is one of your significant weak points. 5 out of 10.