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The EQ Edge: Emotional Intelligence and Your Success
REVISED AND UPDAT ED WITH NEW RESEARCH INTO EQ AND PERSONAL AND CAREER SUCCESS What is the formula for success at your job? As a spouse? A parent? A Little League baseball coach or behind the bench of a minor hockey team?
What does it take to get ahead? To separate yourself from the competition? To lead a less stressful and happier existence? To be fulfilled in personal and professional pursuits?
What is the most important dynamic of your makeup? Is it your A) intelligence quotient? or B) emotional quotient?
If you picked "A", you are partly correct. Your intelligence quotient can be a predictor of things such as academic achievement. But your IQ is fixed and unchangeable. The real key to personal and professional growth is your emotional intelligence quotient, which you can nurture and develop by learning more about EQ from the international bestseller The EQ Edge.
Authors Steven J. Stein and Howard E. Book show you how the dynamic of emotional intelligence works. By understanding EQ, you can build more meaningful relationships, boost your confidence and optimism, and respond to challenges with enthusiasm-all of which are essential ingredients of success.
The EQ Edge offers fascinating-and sometimes surprising-insights into what it takes to be a top law-enforcement officer, lawyer, school principal, student, doctor, dentist or CEO. You will learn what the top EQ factors are across many different kinds of jobs, from business managers and customer service representatives to HR professionals and public servants.
The EQ Edge will help you determine which personnel are the right fit for job opportunities and who among your staff are the most promising leaders and drivers of your business. And because all of us have other roles-parent, spouse, caregiver to aging parents, neighbor, friend-The EQ Edge also describes how everyone can be more successful in these relationships.
"Finally, a practical and usable guide to what emotional intelligence is all about. This book peels the onion on what EQ really is and teaches the reader to assess their own EQ and how to increase it. This is the holy grail for career success."—Michael Feiner, Professor, Columbia Graduate School of Business and author of The Feiner Points of Leadership
What does it take to get ahead? To separate yourself from the competition? To lead a less stressful and happier existence? To be fulfilled in personal and professional pursuits?
What is the most important dynamic of your makeup? Is it your A) intelligence quotient? or B) emotional quotient?
If you picked "A", you are partly correct. Your intelligence quotient can be a predictor of things such as academic achievement. But your IQ is fixed and unchangeable. The real key to personal and professional growth is your emotional intelligence quotient, which you can nurture and develop by learning more about EQ from the international bestseller The EQ Edge.
Authors Steven J. Stein and Howard E. Book show you how the dynamic of emotional intelligence works. By understanding EQ, you can build more meaningful relationships, boost your confidence and optimism, and respond to challenges with enthusiasm-all of which are essential ingredients of success.
The EQ Edge offers fascinating-and sometimes surprising-insights into what it takes to be a top law-enforcement officer, lawyer, school principal, student, doctor, dentist or CEO. You will learn what the top EQ factors are across many different kinds of jobs, from business managers and customer service representatives to HR professionals and public servants.
The EQ Edge will help you determine which personnel are the right fit for job opportunities and who among your staff are the most promising leaders and drivers of your business. And because all of us have other roles-parent, spouse, caregiver to aging parents, neighbor, friend-The EQ Edge also describes how everyone can be more successful in these relationships.
"Finally, a practical and usable guide to what emotional intelligence is all about. This book peels the onion on what EQ really is and teaches the reader to assess their own EQ and how to increase it. This is the holy grail for career success."—Michael Feiner, Professor, Columbia Graduate School of Business and author of The Feiner Points of Leadership
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
172 people are currently reading
1666 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
June 19, 2017
This is a great companion book for those who have undertaken the EQ-i 2.0® or the EQ 360® and want to understand more about the tool and exercises for developing in some areas, or for those who have undertaken the certification as a practitioner.
As someone that falls into the latter category as my reason for reading this, I can certainly see myself using this book with clients or even just to remember certain elements of the tool and their meanings and applications.
As someone that falls into the latter category as my reason for reading this, I can certainly see myself using this book with clients or even just to remember certain elements of the tool and their meanings and applications.
March 17, 2013
Great book about Emotional Intelligence skills and sub-skills. Very detailed. The language is easy to understand. Examples are simple and relevant. I'd suggest to read this if you're curious how emotions impact your actions, interactions, and decision-making.
September 19, 2020
The book deals with emotional intelligence and how it affects work, personal life, and health. Generally, there is a lot of interesting ideas and good descriptions of common treats that people associate with “success”. On a scientific level, the book struggles with several of the challenges typical for social science, but it’s a helpful map of (a) how your emotions may either help or prevent you from being successful and (b) what traits are typically associated with high EI and success. Definitely a useful read.
January 16, 2011
This book summarizes well the 15 areas of EQi AND the research on how they relate to success. Most of the self-identification questions are useful, and there are many good exercises for improving your own emotional intelligence. You can actually increase your EQi so it's worth investigating what is holding you back from fulfillment and how you might improve your ability to succeed at what is most important to you.
January 9, 2008
"Kita punya Segunung Emosi yang setiap saat akan tereksplosi. Pandai-pandailah mengendalikan emosi untuk hal2 yang positif. Jika yang terjadi sebaliknya adalah bomerang yang didapat".
Meski sering dibaca buku ini sulit dipraktikan, karena terkadang bertentangan dengan apa yg gw harapkan.
Meski sering dibaca buku ini sulit dipraktikan, karena terkadang bertentangan dengan apa yg gw harapkan.
January 23, 2009
Very eye opening and useful... things one would thing about and somewhere in the back of our minds know about but never attempt to practice or use until this book. If you are looking for a book to better yourself this is it.
April 30, 2010
Has great exercises, explains each point well. I think everyone could benefit from this book. EQ is very important in our holistic health, our success in family and friends and career. Highly recommended.
May 14, 2008
It's one of the best EQ books I have, easy subject index in the back of the book. Some parts read like stereo instructions, but overall it's been good.
January 11, 2025
The book is a very practical and, at the same time, comprehensive presentation of the topic of emotional intelligence (EQ). The authors are academics who are at the vanguard of this field.
The books starts off with an explanation of what emotional intelligence is, how it differs from cognitive intelligence (IQ), and how it impacts the performance of people at home and at work. The authors go to some length to present ample research that shows how impactful EQ is.
Then they proceed with presenting their framework of measuring the EQ, called Emotional Quotient index (EQ-I). They divide EQ into 5 scales: intrapersonal, interpersonal, adaptability, stress management, and general mood. Each scale comprises a number of skills. For example the intrapersonal scale is made up of 5 skills:
* emotional self-awareness
* assertiveness
* independence
* self-regard
* self-actualisation
While interpersonal of 3:
* empathy
* social responsibility
* interpersonal relationship
In total there are 15 skills and 15 chapters explaining each. This makes the authors’ explanation of EQ consistent and easy to follow. At the end of each chapter there are useful exercises that help the reader get better at the EQ skill the chapter covers. The exercises are requiring a significant commitment of time and effort. I found most of them pretty useful.
At the end of the book there are chapters filled with numerous examples of the authors’ administering their EQ-i tests to people of various trades and backgrounds. Some of these are pretty boring to read due to the excessive number of such examples (ranges from CEOs to dentists) and similarities in outcomes. I guess for their fellow academic readers this bears value, for a reader like me not much. I skimmed through these chapters and recommend you to do the same.
The books starts off with an explanation of what emotional intelligence is, how it differs from cognitive intelligence (IQ), and how it impacts the performance of people at home and at work. The authors go to some length to present ample research that shows how impactful EQ is.
Then they proceed with presenting their framework of measuring the EQ, called Emotional Quotient index (EQ-I). They divide EQ into 5 scales: intrapersonal, interpersonal, adaptability, stress management, and general mood. Each scale comprises a number of skills. For example the intrapersonal scale is made up of 5 skills:
* emotional self-awareness
* assertiveness
* independence
* self-regard
* self-actualisation
While interpersonal of 3:
* empathy
* social responsibility
* interpersonal relationship
In total there are 15 skills and 15 chapters explaining each. This makes the authors’ explanation of EQ consistent and easy to follow. At the end of each chapter there are useful exercises that help the reader get better at the EQ skill the chapter covers. The exercises are requiring a significant commitment of time and effort. I found most of them pretty useful.
At the end of the book there are chapters filled with numerous examples of the authors’ administering their EQ-i tests to people of various trades and backgrounds. Some of these are pretty boring to read due to the excessive number of such examples (ranges from CEOs to dentists) and similarities in outcomes. I guess for their fellow academic readers this bears value, for a reader like me not much. I skimmed through these chapters and recommend you to do the same.
June 20, 2020
This book contains several useful insights which have the power to transform your relationships with those around you. These insights can be applied to all your relationships, ranging from professional to family. The section on Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy alone was enough to keep me hooked from the beginning.
Apart from improving relationships, the book also specifies how you as an individual can improve your workplace performance. It goes into extreme detail about each of the fifteen skills that relate to emotional intelligence and provides exercises to improve each one. The book concludes by mentioning which skills proved most beneficial in specific career paths.
This structure provides the reader with the necessary information about EQ, while allowing freedom to thereafter hone in on specific skills. However, the downside to this structure is that the reader will only know which skills to focus on after completing the book. This is why the book may warrant a second read from those who wish to benefit from it.
Overall, the book was highly enjoyable. Most of the research and statistics were explained in a way that could be easily comprehended by non-researchers. Don't try to rush through it though, because this is one of those books that require you to continually apply the things you've learnt.
Apart from improving relationships, the book also specifies how you as an individual can improve your workplace performance. It goes into extreme detail about each of the fifteen skills that relate to emotional intelligence and provides exercises to improve each one. The book concludes by mentioning which skills proved most beneficial in specific career paths.
This structure provides the reader with the necessary information about EQ, while allowing freedom to thereafter hone in on specific skills. However, the downside to this structure is that the reader will only know which skills to focus on after completing the book. This is why the book may warrant a second read from those who wish to benefit from it.
Overall, the book was highly enjoyable. Most of the research and statistics were explained in a way that could be easily comprehended by non-researchers. Don't try to rush through it though, because this is one of those books that require you to continually apply the things you've learnt.
June 15, 2019
Emotional intelligence is an incredibly important topic and something that everyone should look to understand, as high emotional intelligence is a good predictor for success in all aspects in one's life. I also highly recommend that people take the EQ-i 2.0 assessment to determine their EI scores. In fact, this week I'm getting certified in administering these assessments. However, I'd skip this book.
This book dives into emotional intelligence and the 15 EI competencies that exist under 5 umbrellas: Self-Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal Skills, Decision Making, and Stress Management. It had some interesting tidbits in it, like the differences in average EQ scores between men and women, and the ABCDE method to reprogram the negative thoughts in your head. However, like how I feel about most of these types of books, you could look up EQ online and get as much out of a 30-minute browse of the web than you could out of this book. A lot of it was filler, example after example, that didn't really feel necessary.
Therefore, I highly recommend that you explore the topic of emotional intelligence, but just not with this book.
This book dives into emotional intelligence and the 15 EI competencies that exist under 5 umbrellas: Self-Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal Skills, Decision Making, and Stress Management. It had some interesting tidbits in it, like the differences in average EQ scores between men and women, and the ABCDE method to reprogram the negative thoughts in your head. However, like how I feel about most of these types of books, you could look up EQ online and get as much out of a 30-minute browse of the web than you could out of this book. A lot of it was filler, example after example, that didn't really feel necessary.
Therefore, I highly recommend that you explore the topic of emotional intelligence, but just not with this book.
February 5, 2020
Trying to listen to all the audio books I've had piled on my computer for ages and give each a try, I feel burnt out after so much non-fiction in short time that my head is about to explode :)
Not reading the book in the right time (when you're interested in it and its topic) may lower your interest and enjoyment in it. Exactly what happened to me with this book. Pity.
By now everyone knows that emotional intelligence influences one's ability in coping with environmental demands and pressures and how important of a factor it is in determining one's ability to succeed in life and achieving leadership success. In this book the authors offer fascinating insights into what it takes to be best in what you do using accessible language and it lays out what the top EQ factors are across many different kinds of jobs, as EQ is one of the job requirements indeed. Both advisors and students can benefit from reading this book.
I've listened to the audiobook but would recommend better go for hardback as it has an extra worksheets to actually help you work on and enhance your emotional intelligence quotient.
Not reading the book in the right time (when you're interested in it and its topic) may lower your interest and enjoyment in it. Exactly what happened to me with this book. Pity.
By now everyone knows that emotional intelligence influences one's ability in coping with environmental demands and pressures and how important of a factor it is in determining one's ability to succeed in life and achieving leadership success. In this book the authors offer fascinating insights into what it takes to be best in what you do using accessible language and it lays out what the top EQ factors are across many different kinds of jobs, as EQ is one of the job requirements indeed. Both advisors and students can benefit from reading this book.
I've listened to the audiobook but would recommend better go for hardback as it has an extra worksheets to actually help you work on and enhance your emotional intelligence quotient.
May 20, 2018
Shallow overview
This book gives a decent overview of the authors concept of Emotional Intelligence (and promotes their EQ-i 2.0 EQ test thoroughly). However, the overview is shallow and the stories are as well - often corny, not believable or too basic to make it interesting.
Some of the book's statements are backed by research, but the research part of it only goes so far - would've liked to see a more complete discussion or the EQ concept, which still feels like a not well defined idea.
This book gives a decent overview of the authors concept of Emotional Intelligence (and promotes their EQ-i 2.0 EQ test thoroughly). However, the overview is shallow and the stories are as well - often corny, not believable or too basic to make it interesting.
Some of the book's statements are backed by research, but the research part of it only goes so far - would've liked to see a more complete discussion or the EQ concept, which still feels like a not well defined idea.
January 23, 2019
As a learning tool about the many dimensions of emotional intelligence and its far reaching impacts on your personal and professional life, I can’t recommend this book enough. Potential turnoff for some readers, this does feel at times like a textbook, plus a little fluff and self-aggrandizement on the EQi model the authors created. Still, worth it.
There is much more to EQ than being a “sensitive” person. In fact, that only touches maybe 2 or 3 of the 16 dimensions that make up the definition of EQ in this book. Great awareness.
There is much more to EQ than being a “sensitive” person. In fact, that only touches maybe 2 or 3 of the 16 dimensions that make up the definition of EQ in this book. Great awareness.
June 7, 2023
O livro EQ Edge o ajudará a determinar quais funcionários são os adequados para as oportunidades de trabalho e quem, entre sua equipe, são os líderes e impulsionadores mais promissores de seus negócios. E porque todos nós temos outros papéis - pai, cônjuge, cuidador de pais idosos, vizinho, amigo - The EQ Edge também descreve como todos podem ser mais bem-sucedidos nesses relacionamentos.
Não sei se tem esse livro em português, li a versão em inglês, mas para melhor aproveitamento dos exercícios e dinâmicas propostas pelo livro, leia a versão em português se houver.
Não sei se tem esse livro em português, li a versão em inglês, mas para melhor aproveitamento dos exercícios e dinâmicas propostas pelo livro, leia a versão em português se houver.
December 17, 2016
If you want to read a no nonsense book about Emotional Intelligence, this is the one. I use it all the time as a reference for my coaching business. I have been using the EQi assessment described in the book for over ten years and have met with Steven Stein multiple times. If you get the Third Edition, check out p 283 where you will see a small section about me and my research ... the first time I saw my name in a book!
January 21, 2018
I didn't do the exercises in this book, but I think they would be really useful in most circumstances. This book helps give an understanding of what EQ is and how it can be used. In my opinion, EQ is useful in almost every situation. I haven't read any other books on this topic, but this one seemed to be very detailed and useful.
September 16, 2019
A remarkable book with teachings that I get to use almost everyday. The book is written in a very simple language, the authors directly talk to the points in a concise manner and provide relatable stories to help digesting the arguments. I read and reread many chapters of the book and know them by heart now. An excellent read!
December 16, 2023
Valuable self-help book with plenty of stories and exercises to practice. Gets kind of repetitive after the second chapter though. Also kind of feels like an advertisement for the author's EQ-i 2.0 product.
April 8, 2018
من أحد الكتب الاخرى التي تتحدث عن ما تحدث عنه الكتاب الاخرون مثل دانييل جولدمان و جيل هاسون وترافيس برادبيري و غيرهم . لا جديد .. الاسلوب مختلف جداً عن غيرهم
December 29, 2018
Good practical overview of EQ. Good book for coaches and coachees.
December 16, 2019
Read for leadership development program. Very interesting! Enjoyed the workbook aspect.
May 2, 2020
Worth reading if you work with people for a living.
January 21, 2022
Really enjoyed reading this book and helped to inform me about my own emotions as well as in my work coaching others.
April 24, 2023
They keep updating the book with new information. This may be one where even if it's read, it may be worth it to go back and reread it at some point.
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September 30, 2023“In everyday language emotional intelligence is what we commonly refer to as “street smarts,” or that uncommon ability we label “common sense.””, p.14
January 31, 2024
The worst leadership book I have ever read. I wish I could give it negative stars. This was the most sexist leadership book. NOT. WORTH. IT.
December 23, 2024
This book is packed with information, and offers multiple points of advice which made it very dry.
November 14, 2025
I'm so glad that I bought this book. The ABCDE method was extremely helpful in most situations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews