Rating: 
Summary: Interesting
Review: This book describes how emotional intelligence is the key to a healthy, happy life, and a healthy, functional society. Goleman describes how most of the societal ills present in America today are caused by emotional illiteracy, and how we can slowly and gradually solve these problems by raising the emotional intelligence among all of us.
Rating:
Summary: Emotional Intelligence
Review: Anyone over the age of thirty soon comes to realize that what was taught in school is not necessarily all there is to know in life. Consequently, the smartest people, the ones who always got A's in school, don't always end up being the most successful. Ultimately, a high IQ is not the most important factor when one encounters the real world. In this respect, Goleman has hit upon a concept which deserves much more attention. The brain is a mysterious entity. No one knows exactly how it works. Certain things are known however. The brain is divided into certain sections, each controlling various aspects of behavior. On the other hand, it is a single entity. Intelligence, or what we call IQ is only a small aspect of the total human being. Emotions have long been labeled as inferior to intelligence. Over the past 2,000 years, a cultivated person has been defined as one who is logical, rational and thoughtful. Goleman dispels this notion however and insists that to a large extent, emotional intelligence determines how successful we become as human beings. Feelings, inner motivations and personal relationships are more important than the ability to spell or recite poetry. This fact has major implications, especially for our educational system. Of course, the three R's are important, but the ability to deal with individuals and groups is just as important. We worry about intellectual illiteracy but don't pay much heed to emotional illiteracy. Schools can only do so much, however. In the end, it boils down to the family, and with the family in such disarray, one wonders if this, in itself, is not the underlying problem. Emotional Intelligence is a monumental work.
Rating: 
Summary: I like this book.
Review: Reading some of the other reviews I begin to wonder if the reviewers even read the book at all. How could interpersonal skills and emotional managment NOT matter? The author doen't state that iq doesn't matter, he simply points out that to suceed in the world you need more than just pure reason. I think the ideal is a person with both high intelligence and great interpersonal skills such as someone like Carl sagan, but I think he is correct in stating that a person with average intelligence and good people skills will go farther than a person with high intelligence and no ablity to lead others effecivly. And what is with these reviews attempting to link the supposed poor conditions of the schools and the idea's in this book? Are School shootings happening because the schools are teaching to many anger mangement courses? Please! Why in the world would you believe that teaching emotional management skills will increase the crime rate in public schools? They haven't been teaching this in schools at all and that is part of the problem. All in all this is a very thoughtful and interesting book.
Rating:
Summary: Working with Emotional Intelligence
Review: I agree with Daniel Goleman in his assessment that Emotional Intelligence plays a far greater role in determining success than does IQ. This book really touches on what it takes to be successful in a work environment. I would recommend all CEO's, executives and especially human resource professionals read Working with Emotional Intelligence. It will assist in confirming that all companies need to develop behavioral, or in this case, Emotional Intelligence models of successful workers in all positions. My company uses a tool, Zero Risk Hiring System, to measure emotional intelligence to define success profiles and to hire people who possess these thinking skill sets. I can't say enough how this book will lead you to rethinking your personnel management paradigms.
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat Useless
Review: I found some of what he said intriguing. I agree with his assertion that "emotional intelligence" is more important than IQ, but there seems very little realistic chance in improving your EQ if you weren't born with it. (Goleman certainly doesn't present any good ideas on how). Goleman seems somewhat unsophisticated in his view of how people can improve their EQ. Read Howard Gardner. His books are much more substantial, providing better analysis and more complex, viable solutions.
Rating:
Summary: Prerequisite for procreation
Review: I firmly believe that people should not be allowed to have children without reading this exploration into how the human emotional structure can effect and even overtake the intellectual aspects of the human mind is amazing. Really sets forth the thesis that perhaps intellect isn't the only or best indicator of success, and certainly not the main determinant of who will be happy later in life.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the trouble to read.
Review: Although, i couldn't find any reference to Seymour Epstein ("You're Smarter Than You Think"1992) whom Goleman wrote about once in the New York Times for his theory of "a second kind of intelligence", this is still a GREAT READ. Definately deserves to be on the best seller's list.
Rating:
Summary: Why emotional intelligence wins out over basic intelligence
Review: This ground-breaking book proposes that emotional intelligence is a learned ability that is as much or more important than basic intelligence and should be part of our schooling just as reading, writing and arithmetic. The author sets out new scientific evidence showing, step-by-step, how healthy emotions and destructive emotions control our lives. Feelings often count as much as logic, and we have gone too far, says Dr. Goleman, emphasizing the purely rational, when emotions are so powerful. All emotions are an impulse to act; the creation of instant plans for handling a life situation. Now we know in detail how emotions prepare the body for differing responses. A human being is made up of two minds according to Goleman. One thinks, and one feels; two fundamentally different ways of knowing. The author defines emotion as "a feeling and range of propensities to act." The principal emotions are: Anger: Fury, outrage, resentment. Sadness. Grief, sorrow, cheerlessness. Fear. Anxiety, apprehension, terror. Enjoyment. Happiness, joy, delight, amusement. Love: Trust, kindness, devotion, infatuation. Surprise: Shock, amazement, astonishment. Disgust: Contempt, scorn, abhorrence. Shame: Guilt, embarrassment, remorse, humiliation. Various emotions have various physical effects on the body. Anger, for example, causes blood to flow to the hands; strong energy for vigorous action. Fear causes blood to flow to the legs making it easier to run. Happiness is a positive emotion that provides readiness and enthusiasm. Surprise makes it easier to figure out what's going on and create a plan of action. Sadness helps adjust to a significant loss and brings a drop in energy and enthusiasm. When emotions are out of control, the emotional mind takes over and swamps the rational mind. Emotions have a mind of their own and can hold views independent of the rational mind. Goleman names five main domains of emotional intelligence: (1) Knowing one's emotion (2) Managing emotions (3) Motivating oneself (4) Recognizing emotions in others (5) Handling relationships. A most important emotional lesson, of course, is anger management. As a culture, we have not bothered to make sure children are taught the essentials of handling anger or resolving conflict. These and other fundamentals of emotional competence have been left to chance, says Goleman. Surprisingly, the emotional mind is far quicker than the rational mind and springs into action without considering consequences that may prove to be mistaken or misguided. Scientific findings indicate we often cannot control emotions. What's more, the emotional mind takes its beliefs to be true, discounting evidence to the contrary. That's why it's difficult to reason with someone who is emotionally upset. A familiar husband-wife emotional story: Wives, it seems, are the emotional managers and as such, are more likely to criticize husbands. Men are more likely to be stonewallers. Wives try to bring up and resolve disagreements. Husbands, on the other hand, are reluctant to be drawn into arguments. As a wife sees her husband withdraw from a discussion. she increases the volume and intensity of her complaint white he becomes defensive or stonewalls in return. She becomes contemptful, frustrated and angry; the husband feels more and more an innocent victim. As husbands stonewall, the wife feels completely stymied. The author calls this psychological impasse "flooding~~ and points out that flooding escalates, often going out of control. There is ample evidence of growing emotional recklessness in the wortd, the author points out, and makes a strong case that it is critical to teach emotional competence to children as part of their education.
Rating:
Summary: enlightening
Review: I found the best way to obtain the answers to my questions was to pick up and read this book as and when required. I was able to pick and choose sections and chapters relating to the areas I needed more information on and didn`t let myself get bogged down by details that were irrelevant to my current quest. I was surprised by the tone of some of the other reviews and felt I had to put a calmer feeling forward. After all, nothing is set in tablets of stone, these are still words in a book and you can still think for yourself about how you wish to deal with the information provided. I am a Chartered Physiotherapist and I work with animals and people and found the information useful for all aspects of my work as well as my social life.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for self improvement
Review: Dear Readers, I suggest this book to improve self. I found it very effective and practical. I feel that everyone of you will prosper after going through this book. Thanx & regards, Bijesh
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