Book ReviewBook Review

Working with EmotionalWorking with EmotionalIntelligenceIntelligence

Daniel Daniel GolemanGoleman, 1998, 1998Bantam BooksBantam Books

ISBN 0-553-84023-1ISBN 0-553-84023-1

Gestion des Ressources Humaines MBA HEC Lausanne

By Rui Nunes

OutlineOutline

Who is this guy? The book.Who is this guy? The book.

What is emotional intelligence?What is emotional intelligence?

The brain circuitryThe brain circuitry

Why is it important?Why is it important?

Assessing emotionalAssessing emotionalintelligenceintelligence

How to improve?How to improve?

Training guidelinesTraining guidelines

Who is this guy? The bookWho is this guy? The book

Daniel Daniel Goleman Goleman (the guy)(the guy)

–– U.S. psychologist, writer in the U.S. psychologist, writer in the NYTimesNYTimes, published in, published in1995 a book called 1995 a book called ““Emotional IntelligenceEmotional Intelligence””

–– Founder of Founder of ““The consortium for research in emotionalThe consortium for research in emotionalintelligence in organisationsintelligence in organisations””http://www.eiconsortium.org/http://www.eiconsortium.org/

Working with emotional intelligenceWorking with emotional intelligence (the book)(the book)

–– Makes the case that EI is more important for work inMakes the case that EI is more important for work inorganisations that IQ or technical skillsorganisations that IQ or technical skills

Other booksOther books–– 2002 2002 –– Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence–– 2003 2003 –– Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them. Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them.

What Is Emotional Intelligence?What Is Emotional Intelligence?

““Capacity for recognizing our own feelingsCapacity for recognizing our own feelingsand those of others, for motivatingand those of others, for motivatingourselves, and for managing emotions wellourselves, and for managing emotions wellin ourselves and in our relationshipsin ourselves and in our relationships””

Emotional intelligence vs. IntellectualEmotional intelligence vs. Intellectualintelligence and technical skillsintelligence and technical skills

The brain circuitryThe brain circuitry Inner brain - the amygdalaInner brain - the amygdala

triggers pre-programmedtriggers pre-programmed““primitiveprimitive”” impulsive impulsiveactionsactions

The prefrontal area inhibitsThe prefrontal area inhibitsthe action of the amygdalathe action of the amygdala self-regulationself-regulation

When it doesnWhen it doesn’’t the persont the person““explodesexplodes”” in emotional in emotionalreactionreaction

The emotion impedes theThe emotion impedes therational brain to functionrational brain to functionproperlyproperly

Why is is important?Why is is important?

Another One Bites the DustAnother One Bites the DustThe 3-million dollar amygdala hijackThe 3-million dollar amygdala hijack

Why is this important?Why is this important?

Other emotional responses can be:Other emotional responses can be:–– Inability to make a presentation in front of anInability to make a presentation in front of an

audience (overwhelmed by the emotion)audience (overwhelmed by the emotion)–– Exploding violently at a colleague/boss/clientExploding violently at a colleague/boss/client

for something that was said or donefor something that was said or done–– Loosing control in an examLoosing control in an exam

The author argues that The author argues that ““star performersstar performers””have a high level of self awareness andhave a high level of self awareness andcontrol well their emotionscontrol well their emotions

Assessing Emotional IntelligenceAssessing Emotional Intelligence

Basic Personal and Social competenciesBasic Personal and Social competencies–– Personal Competence Personal Competence handling oneselfhandling oneself

»» Self-awarenessSelf-awareness

»» Self-regulationSelf-regulation

»» MotivationMotivation

–– Social Competence Social Competence handling onehandling one’’s relationshipss relationships

»» EmpathyEmpathy

»» Social SkillsSocial Skills

How to improveHow to improve

The author claims that these skills can all beThe author claims that these skills can all beworked onworked on

Not like IQ, people can improve their EI byNot like IQ, people can improve their EI byreceiving feedback and practisereceiving feedback and practise

The capability to acquire EI skillsThe capability to acquire EI skillsapparently increases with ageapparently increases with age

The author makes the case that andThe author makes the case that andEmotionally competent worker is moreEmotionally competent worker is moreproductive and effectiveproductive and effective

Training GuidelinesTraining Guidelines

1.1. Assess the jobAssess the job2.2. Assess the individualAssess the individual3.3. Deliver assessmentsDeliver assessments

with carewith care4.4. Gauge readinessGauge readiness5.5. MotivateMotivate6.6. Make change self-Make change self-

directeddirected7.7. Focus on clear,Focus on clear,

manageable goalsmanageable goals8.8. Prevent relapsePrevent relapse

9.9. Give performanceGive performancefeedbackfeedback

10.10. Encourage practiceEncourage practice

11.11. Arrange supportArrange support

12.12. Provide modelsProvide models

13.13. EncourageEncourage

14.14. Reinforce changeReinforce change

15.15. EvaluateEvaluate

SummarySummary

Delivers a simple concept in a persuasive wayDelivers a simple concept in a persuasive way D.D. Goleman Goleman is not the originator of the concept is not the originator of the concept

but comes across as a communicator to the layman.but comes across as a communicator to the layman.Extensive references presentedExtensive references presented

Very systematic. Presents the basic concepts inVery systematic. Presents the basic concepts intables 1 & 2 and then develops each pointtables 1 & 2 and then develops each point

Using many stories and anecdotes, probably notUsing many stories and anecdotes, probably notenough from a scientific viewpoint, but then againenough from a scientific viewpoint, but then againthis is not the objective of this bookthis is not the objective of this book

Too long for its purpose ( >400 pages)Too long for its purpose ( >400 pages)