The Eq Edge: Emotional Intelligence and Your Success

This well-written book on Emotional Intelligence is highly recommended for anyone who wants: (1) a good introduction of what EQ entails, and (2) a collection of applicable and practical tips to improve your EQ. This book organizes EQ into 15 scales (or qualities), and spend a chapter on each. This approach has allowed the readers to focus on one aspect of EQ at a time, instead of speaking vaguely about "someone having a low EQ because he is hot-headed..." Depending on your profile of strengths and weaknesses, you will most certainly find some chapters more interesting and useful than others. My personal experience is that even by reading about certain qualities that I thought I was strong at, I have at times picked up invaluable insights from the book that quell my previous misconception on these topics. Overall, it's a great read for anyone who wants a more systematic survey of the many angles of Emotional Intelligence.

Useful summary of what EQ is all about. Describes how to understand the connection to success in relationships and business. Practical exercises help learn ways to apply the theories to improve emotional intelligence quotient (EQ).

I was not sure what to expect when I started to read this book. The second author is a psychiatrist and an organizational consultant. The first author, Steven Stein is a psychologist, but also well known for heading up a very successful test publishing company. Was the book going to be an advertisement for his tests? Would his success as a businessperson enhance the credibility of the message? The book was very easy to get into. The writing is engaging. It starts with a brief history and definition of emotional intelligence (something Goleman avoids in his first book on the subject). It focuses on Reuven BarOn's definition but also includes Peter Salovey and John Mayer's definition - the originators of the concept.The book, to my pleasant surprise, does not focus on the test (Emotional Quotient Inventory -EQ-i), but on how to gauge yourself (using exercises provided in the book) and work on improving yourself in the 15 specific areas of emotional intelligence. For the most part the exercises are taken from well-validated methods of cognitive-behavior therapy. As a psychologist I have no problem recommending this book to clients. In fact, there is more data behind this approach than what is proposed in many of the "best-selling" books out there. (For the academically oriented professional, please read the EQ-i test manual.)Most interesting to me were some of the studies in the last chapter. It is very unusual for self-help books, and books on emotional intelligence to include original research on the importance of the concept. This makes the book great for those people you know who doubt the importance of E.I. To see how E.I. has made a difference to the U.S. Air Force, and companies like American Express and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is impressive.I've actually reviewed the research on the EQ-i, the test that much of the research is based on. The normative group is bigger and better than many tests in the marketplace: almost 42,000 people in 36 countries. There are also some good scientific publications on it. While there is no "perfect" test of E.I., I haven't found anything that even comes close to this one. In fact, I've come across many tests being used by companies that don't even come close to having the research that this one has. But the book is not about the test. You can't even get the test unless you are a psychologist or qualified management consultant or vocational counsellor.Was the book an advertisement? Not really. The examples, which are very realistic, cover work and home situations.

The EQ Edge" is a terrific book and an easy read! It's a cut above all the rest of the books out there on Emotional Intelligence because it clearly and meaningfully defines and describes the five building blocks (the interpersonal, intrapersonal, adapatiblity, stress management and mood) that together make up Emotional Intelligence, and goes on to define and describe all 15 competencies that make up these building blocks. The book also includes a gauge for readers to evaluate their own competencies in their work life, family life and social life--and adds focused exercises that do enhance your Emotional Intelligence.It brings with it a lot of engaging anecdotes, Emotional Intelligence profiles of successful salespeople, physicians, front-line workers and sports figures. The vignettes and profiles make this book come alive and the gauges and exercises work in strengthening Emotional Intelligence. For me it has helped in all aspects of my life. It's a must read.

This book is really top notch in its field. It's different and better than a lot of the books on emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence has become a bit of buzz word lately, but this book has substance and a great deal of humor. A unique characgteristic of this book is its crisp use of the emotional intelligence gauge which told me where my strengths and weaknesses are. The feedback I got from subordinates was how my managerial style had improved. Although, I read this as an owner-manager, I found it had an impact on how I deal with my family. It really is a top notch book.