“It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.”
In today’s world, emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial. It’s not just about having the highest IQ or possessing the right skills – it’s about how much we understand and manage our emotions, and how we relate to others. Emotional intelligence can profoundly shape our professional and personal relationships, helping us to navigate the many complexities of life with greater empathy and resilience. But, how do you go about improving your emotional intelligence? With so many emotional intelligence books available, it can be hard to find the right reads that work for you. Which is why here at What We Reading thought we would help you out with our favourite books on emotional intelligence! From foundational classics to more modern approaches, whether you’re looking to improve your leadership skills, find better interpersonal skills or simply strengthen your existing relationships, these books about emotional intelligence are packed full of handy insights.
The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book – Travis Bradberry And Jean Greaves
First up on our list of books on emotional intelligence is Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves’s snappy read, The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book. Authors Bradberry and Greaves use their years of experience as researchers, consultants and speakers to revitalise our understanding of emotional intelligence. Combining the latest research with a quick and easy-to-grasp format, their work is designed to demonstrate how more emotional intelligence helps limit stress, increase productivity, understand our feelings as they happen and interact with others more healthily.
As an introduction to the fundamentals of emotional intelligence, The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book is an essential guidebook to possess, helping readers with skill-building techniques, applying EQ both inside and outside the office and understanding the link between higher EQ and physical well-being.
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ – Daniel Goleman
Long-heralded as one of the most important books about emotional intelligence ever written, Daniel Goleman’s groundbreaking work, Emotional Intelligence, redefines what it means to be smart. Rather than the traditional approach of measuring IQ, Goleman offers a fascinating report from the frontiers of psychology about our ‘two minds’ – the rational and the emotional – and the fundamental roles they play together in shaping us.
Drawing on the latest brain and cognitive neuroscience research, Goleman demonstrates how those with high levels of self-awareness, self-discipline and empathy add up to a different way of being smart. He also makes the compelling case that these factors aren’t determined at birth, that they can be nurtured and strengthened even into adulthood to produce immediate benefits to our health, relationships and work.
The Emotionally Intelligent Manager: How To Develop And Use The Four Key Emotional Skills Of Leadership – David R. Caruso And Peter Salovey
One of the best books on emotional intelligence for readers looking to improve their leadership skills comes from David Caruso and Peter Salovey in The Emotionally Intelligent Manager. In it, the pair take aim at the misconception that expressing emotion in the workplace is an unprofessional thing to do. Instead, they attempt to make the argument that emotions are an integral part of how we think and reason.
In The Emotionally Intelligent Manager, they demonstrate how emotion is absolutely necessary to make informed and good decisions, solve problems effectively, cope with change and ultimately succeed. They establish a four-part hierarchy of emotional identifying that teaches readers how they can measure, learn and develop their emotional intelligence to solve even the most complex of work-related issues.
How To Win Friends And Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Another timeless book on emotional intelligence, How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold over thirty million copies and comes jam-packed full of cast-iron advice that has carried thousands of now-famous individuals up the ladder of success in both their business and personal lives.
As relevant today as it was when it was first published, Dale Carnegie’s principles are designed to help readers reach their maximum potential in the complex and complicated contemporary world. How to Win Friends and Influence People teaches readers the six ways to make people like you, the twelve ways to win people over to your way of thinking and the nine ways to change without rousing resentment.
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Nonviolent Communication: A Language Of Life – Marshall B. Rosenberg
In this internationally acclaimed book on emotional intelligence, Marshall B. Rosenberg offers readers insightful stories, anecdotes, practical exercises and role-plays that are designed to dramatically change approaches to communication. Nonviolent Communication explores the ways in which humans have been conditioned to think and speak in ways that perpetuate conflict, and employs practical skills and powerful consciousness to showcase to readers how to get what they want peacefully.
Rosenberg’s work teaches readers how the language they use can strengthen their existing relationships, build trust, prevent conflicts and heal pain. Simple in its delivery but revolutionary in its effects, Nonviolent Communication is an emotional intelligence book that supplies the tools needed to reduce violence and create peace in your life.
Dare To Lead – Brene Brown
In her book, Dare to Lead, Brene Brown attempts to help readers become braver leaders and foster a greater sense of courage in their culture. Produced over seven years, Brown discovered what makes leaders in organisations, ranging in size from small start-ups, family-owned businesses, non-profits, to Fortune 50 companies, able to dare greatly, rise strong and produce change.
One of the best books about emotional intelligence, Dare to Lead teaches readers how leaders are able to hold themselves accountable for recognising the potential in people and ideas, and for developing said potential. It is an invaluable resource for those looking to choose courage over playing it safe, make a profound difference and take the reins as a bold and daring leader.
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Self-Compassion: The Proven Power Of Being Kind To Yourself – Kristin Neff
From leading psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff, Self-Compassion is a step-by-step guide explaining to readers how to be more compassionate to themselves and achieve their dreams in the most healthy way. Taking aim at our ultra-competitive current culture, Neff breaks down how our sense of self-worth fluctuates wildly, and how keeping a hold of our self-esteem is often easier said than done.
Through the research of Neff and other leading psychologists, Self-Compassion demonstrates how those who are compassionate toward their failings, insecurities and imperfections actually experience greater well-being than those who judge themselves harshly. One of the best books on emotional intelligence for those wanting to look more inwardly, Neff demonstrates why it is so important to be self-compassionate and give yourself the same caring support you would give to a close friend.
Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, And Thrive In Work And Life – Susan David
Susan David introduces readers to the concept of emotional agility in her bestselling work, Emotional Agility. Emotional agility is a four-step approach that allows readers to navigate life’s many twists and turns with self-acceptance, clear-sightedness and an open mind. Featuring over twenty years’ worth of research, David has found that no matter how intelligent a person is when they ignore how situations make them feel, they miss opportunities to reach their full potential.
On the other hand, emotionally agile individuals experience the same levels of stress and anxiety as anyone else, but they are equipped with how to adapt successfully, align their actions with their values and make the small changes necessary to grow. One of the most comprehensive guides on emotional intelligence and the power it has to revolutionise our lives, David demonstrates masterfully how to become more emotionally agile and begin thriving in an uncertain world.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
