12 of the Best Books on Emotional Intelligence

Everyone seems to be talking about EI these days – that’s emotional intelligence to us mere mortals.

The world of work continues to change; aspects such as recruitment and staff retention are more frequently approached from a holistic mindset. That is to say that each individual is assessed as a whole, rather than solely on experience or skills. Employees are also encouraged to be self-aware and reflect inwardly as part of their professional development. Emotional intelligence forms part of a person’s character and therefore can be a crucial attribute in the workplace. So, to help you to learn all about it and make the most of your own, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best books on emotional intelligence.

1. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 is a book with a single purpose – increasing your EQ.

In today’s fast-paced world of competitive workplaces and turbulent economic conditions, each of us is searching for effective tools that can help us to manage, adapt, and strike out ahead of the pack. By now, emotional intelligence (EQ) needs little introduction – it’s no secret that EQ is critical to your success. But knowing what EQ is and knowing how to use it to improve your life are two very different things. Emotional Intelligence 2.0 delivers a step-by-step program for increasing your EQ via four, core EQ skills that enable you to achieve your fullest potential:

1) Self-Awareness

2) Self-Management

3) Social Awareness

4) Relationship Management

2. Emotional Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More Than IQ

The groundbreaking bestseller that redefines intelligence and success Does IQ define our destiny? Daniel Goleman argues that our view of human intelligence is far too narrow and that our emotions play a major role in thought, decision making and individual success. Self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, motivation, empathy and social deftness are all qualities that mark people who excel: whose relationships flourish, who are stars in the workplace. With new insights into the brain architecture underlying emotion and rationality, Goleman shows precisely how emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened in all of us.

 

3. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Is More Important Than IQ and How You Can Improve Yours

Are you in charge of your emotions or are they in charge of you?

Most people are slaves – or at least servants – to their emotions, and that doesn’t necessarily mean the emotions are always big and overpowering. Even people who show no emotion are not necessarily in charge of that part of themselves. Being able to identify and control emotions, and understanding the emotions of others, are all signs of an emotionally intelligent person.

Invest in your success in work, relationships, and life! Don’t take a pass on the opportunity to increase something that is now recognised as being even more important than IQ.

4. Emotional Intelligence Pocketbook: Little Exercises for an Intuitive Life

A practical “how–to” guide to changing the way you think about your emotions

Bestselling personal development author Gill Hasson is back with this pocket-sized guide to dealing with your emotions. Learn how to understand yourself and those around you with practical tips and tricks that will help you be more assertive, forge stronger relationships and manage anxiety.

This highly practical book is full of advice, tips and techniques to help you:

• Understand and manage your emotions
• Become more assertive and confident
• Develop your social skills and your interactions with others
• Handle difficult situations, events and other people

5. Emotional Intelligence For Dummies

Being aware of and in control of your emotions is one of the keys to success in life –– both professionally and personally. Emotional Intelligence For Dummies will show you how to take control of your emotions rather than letting your emotions control you! Discover how developing your emotional intelligence can further your relationships with others, in the workplace and at home.

Emotional awareness is also a critical skill for career success, and Dr. Stein provides practical exercises for developing this skill and achieving your professional and personal goals. He also provides valuable insights into how emotional intelligence can be applied to raising children and teenagers and realising personal happiness. Full of lively anecdotes and practical advice, Emotional Intelligence For Dummies is the ideal book for anyone who wants to get smart about their feelings and reach the next level at work and at home.

6. The Little Book of Emotional Intelligence: How to Flourish in a Crazy World

The Little Book of Emotional Intelligence is an immediate, outcome-focused primer on the important topic of EQ, which provides practical, no-nonsense life advice and takes a sideways look at a world which is complicated and overwhelming at times.

Do you seem to spend half your life counting down the days ’til your next holiday? Does it sometimes feel like your life is being lived on fast forward, with little time for reflection or idle amusement? It’s time to stop kicking happiness into the long grass and get on with really living.

Funny, colourful and profound, this book is a gripping manual for the human mind, enabling you to understand and control your emotions, communicate better, unpick limiting beliefs and finally get around to living a happier, more balanced life.

7. Emotional Intelligence: Mastery – A Practical Guide To Improving Your EQ (Social Skills, Business Skills, Success, Confidence, Relationships)

Emotional intelligence has been a buzzword in the personal growth industry and in high-level corporate recruitment strategies since 1995, when Daniel Goleman used the term for his book title and topic. As we would say today, his use of it “went viral” immediately, in the world of business and mental health in particular.

During the course of this book, we will take a look at the current knowledge surrounding the subject, as well as how you can vastly improve your own emotional intelligence with a series of simple, practical exercises.

 

8. Emotional Intelligence & Working with Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence Does IQ define our destiny? Daniel Goleman argues that our view of human intelligence is far too narrow and that our emotions play a major role in thought, decision making and individual success. Self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, motivation, empathy and social deftness are all qualities that mark people who excel: whose relationships flourish, who are stars in the workplace.

With new insights into the brain architecture underlying emotion and rationality, Goleman shows precisely how emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened in all of us. Working with Emotional Intelligence Do you want to be more successful at work? Do you want to improve your chances of promotion? Do you want to get on better with your colleagues?

9. Emotional Intelligence Coaching: Improving Performance for Leaders, Coaches and the Individual

Emotional Intelligence Coaching examines the vital role emotions and habits play in performance. Emotional intelligence can help leaders and coaches recognise how attitudes – both their own and those of the people they coach – prevent individuals from reaching their potential. Replacing these with more useful feelings and thoughts can provide a powerful means of improving performance. This book explains the principles of emotional intelligence and how these relate to coaching for performance. It includes practical activities for those seeking to identify and adapt their behaviour in order to achieve more.

Never before have emotional intelligence and coaching been brought together in this way to help you develop your own and other people’s performance.

10. Emotional Intelligence: Managing emotions to make a positive impact on your life and career

Improve your emotional intelligence and you improve your ability to understand and manage emotions. You can think clearly and creatively, manage stress and challenges, communicate well with others and display trust, empathy and confidence.

You will be in a better position to handle situations, events and other people that in the past you’ve found difficult or stressful.

Emotional Intelligence will show you how to heighten your EQ and improve your personal and work life, including how to

• be more assertive and confident
• express how you feel, what you want and don’t want.
• understand what others are feeling and forge stronger relationships
• manage office politics and navigate the social complexities of the workplace
• manage anxiety, anger and disappointment
• deal with bullying
• motivate and inspire others

11. Emotional Intelligence: How To Improve Your Emotions And Self Awareness – An Ultimate Guide To EQ Mastery

In this book, you will discover what emotional intelligence is and how to build your emotional intelligence so that you stop following where your emotions lead you to. Instead, you will be the one in charge of your emotions such that you react in whichever way you want effortlessly.

More precisely, this book will teach you the following:

• What emotional intelligence is and what it entails
• Why you need emotional intelligence?
• The components of emotional intelligence
• A step by step formula that will help you develop emotional intelligence
• How to understand other people’s emotions to enhance your social skills
• And much, much more!

If you are excited about learning emotional intelligence, GET this book NOW!

12. Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change and Thrive in Work and Life

Every day we speak around 16,000 words – but inside our minds we create tens of thousands more. Thoughts such as ‘I’m not spending enough time with my children’ or ‘I’m not good enough to present my work’ can seem to be unshakable facts. In reality, they’re the judgemental opinions of our inner voice.

Emotional Agility describes a new way of living and relating to yourself and the world around you. Become aware of your true nature, learn to face your emotions with acceptance and generosity, act according to your deepest values, and flourish.

‘An accessible, reader-friendly voyage. Emotional Agility can be helpful to anyone.’ – Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

There you have it, 12 of the best books on emotional intelligence! Have you read a life-changing self-help book? Tell us about it in the comments! Check out our top 10 career books, too!