Emotional Intelligence in Action: Training and Coaching Activities for Leaders and Managers [With CD-ROM]

I've provided training in corporations on a number of topics for years. As I was seeking the "right" resource for teaching emotional intelligence, I've encountered many books on the topic but none that was really helpful for easy training purposes. Emotional Intelligence In Action is absolutely one of the very best manuals for training I've encountered for any topic. It is extremely user friendly in it's organization, complete with information about level of expertise the trainer should have, how long the unit would take to present, and a plethora of very useful activities. This book practically writes your training for you. In addition to this book, I'd like to recommend Marcia Hughes' and James Terrell's company, Collaborative Growth LLC, for it's training and certification for professionals. They provide excellent training on emotional intelligence as well as certification for tests such as the Bar-On EQI in it's various forms. They are warm, friendly individuals and their trainings are highly personal. Check them out as well as their wonderful resource book.

As a Director of Organizational Development and Training, I am always searching for resources that will allow cost-effective implementation of new programs. L. Bonita Patterson, one of the authors of the book, is the president of Colorado Human Resource Association in Denver, Colorado. Her personal grasp of emotional intelligence and her business savvy prompted me to read the book. I have always believed that happiness and optimism leads to success. It was exciting to see Ms. Patterson validate that these were important competencies of Emotional Intelligence. All of the information and exercises, in this book, may be used in individual coaching sessions, staff meetings and in formal training. This flexibility and format is very appealing to professionals who want to implement quality training and/or facilitate meaningful conversations about emotional awareness. L. Bonita Patterson's book deserves 5 stars for presenting an important topic along with all the necessary tools, materials and handouts to provide a fun, safe and sensible approach to exploring emotional intelligence with your employees.

I have had the pleasure of being certified in the Bar-On EQi assessment by the authors. At that time in 2003, they were working on this book - a book for trainers, managers, leaders, consultants and...well, anyone who cares to improve their emotional and social intelligence skills. They nailed it with this book! I used this book with my clients and my students the FIRST WEEK I had this book in my hands. Oh, sure - I had read other EQ books and resources, but most were so high brow and academic that they confused more than helped. With some I had to read the pages several times to ensure I understood it. Still not sure I did...but THIS BOOK?...never had that problem. Marcia, Bonita and James break the complex down into the basics and make it so anyone can pick up this book and use it. While I believe leaders, managers, trainers, and consultants will find it the most helpful, anyone can benefit from applying and commiting to the skill building this book provides. I have already bought a couple of these as gifts...and the gift receiver was thrilled. This book filled a HUGE void in the literature that has now been filled. Buy it, and feel good about that decision!

For about a hundred years we have been measuring intelligence by using standardized tests. At the same time, it was clear that intelligence alone is not a guaranteed measure of how well an individual will do. (The standardized tests that the military uses is statistically well proven to be the best indicator of success in the military.) An indication of the failure of intelligence testing alone is the high percentage of the members of Mensa (the high intelligence club) that are in prison. In the past 20 years or so the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been researched at the National Institute of Mental Health and others. It has become a established as a measure of successful leadership. This book fills several needs. First as an introduction to the overall concept. Second it describes the four most common emotional intelligence models and how they relate to each other. Part two of the book covers the fifteen competencies of EI. The third part of the book features forty-six exercies to help build effective emotional skills. These can be used either by individuals for themselves or in formal training situations.

Trainers, coaches, facilitators, HR practitioners and managers will find this a guide and tool box for developing the competencies in people that constitute emotional intelligence. The book is divided into three major sections. Part I explains the rational for developing emotional intelligence (EI) and highlights four key EI measures. Part II explores the 15 competencies of emotional intelligence. Part III presents 3 to 4 experiential learning exercises (workouts) for each of the competencies; this is the major section of the book. This is an outstanding resource for anyone involved in management development. Very highly recommended.