Well, I borrowed this book from a friend and it is such a wonderful book. I have taken EQ or emotional quotient tests before, but I took those more out of fun, without realizing their true meaning. It is amazing how we all look at work and success and relate it to mind power without realizing that people's power is the one that dominates it all. Every day we meet so many people, and developing a conversation is in itself a challenge. And being able to do that correctly, is like starting on the right foot. A business deal greatly depends on the way customers are dealt with, and if you can master the art of handling emotions, yours and others', there is nothing that you cannot do. This book is so empowering and is a must read for all.

I love the concept of this book. Our entire life we hear how important it is to be smart. This book explores that there are different types of smart, not just book learning. Emotional intelligence is important. If you know the answer, but can't get others to listen to you--what good is the knowledge? Emotional intelligence, the ability to master your feelings, have control and deal with others is extremely important. This book will change the way you deal with others and conduct your life. It's what a self help book should be. It makes you think and offers suggestions to make your life better.

Perhaps success really isn't measured by a number you earn on a test? That is what this book suggests, and if you are looking for a thought-provoking read, buy this book. I think we all struggle with relationships, our inner thoughts and dealing with people in general. To master this, is emotional intelligence and will bring you far greater success than scoring high numbers on some test. This book is almost so complex that I can barely put how it made me feel into words. Infact, I will probably have to read it 3 or 4 more times before I can truly grasp everything it contains. There is plenty of behavioral research and even some neurological references. At times, it seemed a bit much that I couldn't quite grasp it all. If you can get past the research, it's a great book. Certainly a life-changing book if you let it.

This book changed my mind forever. This is the sort of thing you buy your friends for birthdays. Where to begin. Well, to the comment about Goleman using too many surveys, I agree it kind of got into the way at some points, but I have a great respect for the surveys because clearly Goleman had a great hypothesis and proved it by his field work. I already believed that society puts too much focus on traditional education where getting answers on a test about something you'll never use again is more important than dealing with abusive people around you. This book really lets you get your mind around the human condition in a way you haven't thought of before (with actual examples and surveys!) Its a great book to read, then a great book to reference later. I hear there's a second edition in the works as well.

I heard about this book at a dinner event I went to some time ago. The guest speaker had recommended it to the group as THE book that changed her career path and brought her to ranks of senior management in just a matter of years. The book discusses how it's not actual intelligence that makes you successful, it's "emotional intelligence."

The book is a very insightful read and explains how actual knowledge is not critical to success. It's more about communication, understanding others, and being able to read the situation and behave accordingly.

Have you ever wondered why the 'A' students from school don't always end up as successful adults? Or how the 'C' students from school end up being CEOs and CFOs? This book helps explain the concepts between the differences between actual intelligence and how it's actually "emotional" intelligence that you need to get ahead in life.

Personally, I like this book and I think everybody in the workplace should read it. It would reduce workplace conflict and make people better managers.

A phenomenal concept - Emotional Intelligence, which was introduce a decade ago, was made widely popular by this best seller by Goleman.

Goleman makes a strong and important point on how there is an other crucial dimension of intelligence which has a stronger influence in how we are received or valued by people and how well we can influence people through emotions than logic or IQ.

It was a little heavy read with all the surveys and backing data. But very interesting. It is extremely necessary for the current generation where people have little patience, half baked value system which in turn are affecting how people deal with people.

Another recommended read is "Working with Emotional Intelligence" by the same author.

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. The book relates several incidents of persons who succeed and fail in acting appropriately because of their 'social-emotional' skills, or lack of them. Goleman clearly identifies several issues which relate to how we interact and operate in the world, but he provides little solid evidence other than examples or a few case histories for making his point.