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All 16 learnings · one per slide
Emotional
Intelligence
Daniel Goleman, in bytes
16 key learnings on why emotional skills can matter as much as IQ, and how to build them.
16 learnings · ~40 sec eachSwipe →
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Emotional Intelligence, in bytes
16 key learnings from Daniel Goleman's book that popularised emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-control, motivation, empathy and social skill. Each takes about 40 seconds to read. Swipe, use the arrows, or your keyboard.
Emotional
Books in Bytes
Learning 1 · Part 1
Two Minds
The idea
Goleman describes a rational mind and an emotional mind that work together, and sometimes clash.
Example
Knowing a risk is small but still feeling afraid.
Takeaway
Good decisions need both minds.
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Learning 2 · Part 1
Why Emotions Evolved
The idea
Emotions evolved as fast guides to action: fear prepares us to flee, anger to fight.
Example
Your heart races before you've consciously noticed a threat.
Takeaway
Emotions carry useful information.
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Learning 3 · Part 1
The Amygdala Hijack
The idea
In a perceived threat, the amygdala can trigger a strong reaction before the thinking brain catches up.
Example
Snapping at a colleague, then regretting it minutes later.
Try this
When you feel a surge, pause before speaking.
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Learning 4 · Part 2
Beyond IQ
The idea
Goleman argues IQ explains only part of life success; emotional skills explain much of the rest.
Example
Bright people who struggle because they can't manage their emotions or relationships.
Worth noting
How much EQ matters relative to IQ is debated.
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Learning 5 · Part 2
Self-Awareness
The idea
Recognising feelings as they happen is the foundation of emotional intelligence.
Example
Noticing you're irritable because you're tired, not because a colleague is annoying.
Try this
Name your emotion precisely a few times a day.
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Learning 6 · Part 2
Managing Anger
The idea
Rumination stokes anger; reframing the situation and cooling down reduce it.
Example
A driver cuts you off. Imagining they're rushing to hospital softens the reaction.
Try this
Ask: is there another way to see this?
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Learning 7 · Part 2
Managing Worry and Sadness
The idea
Worry and low mood can spiral; distraction, exercise and challenging negative thoughts help.
Example
A brisk walk lifting a gloomy afternoon.
Takeaway
You can influence your moods.
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Learning 8 · Part 2
Self-Motivation
The idea
Emotional skills include delaying gratification, persisting and staying hopeful.
The evidence
Goleman cites the Stanford marshmallow studies, linking children's ability to wait with later outcomes.
Worth noting
Later research suggests family background explains part of that link.
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Learning 9 · Part 2
Flow and Optimism
The idea
Hope, optimism and flow help people persist and perform.
Example
Optimistic salespeople keep calling after rejection.
Takeaway
Positive states fuel effort.
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Learning 10 · Part 2
Empathy
The idea
Reading others' emotions, mostly from tone and body language rather than words.
Example
Hearing that 'I'm fine' doesn't sound fine.
Try this
Notice tone of voice in your next conversation.
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Learning 11 · Part 2
Social Skill
The idea
Managing emotions in relationships: influencing, resolving conflict and building rapport.
Example
A colleague who calms a tense meeting with a well-timed question.
Takeaway
Social skill is learnable.
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Learning 12 · Part 3
Emotions in Marriage
The idea
Goleman draws on John Gottman's research: criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling predict breakdown.
Example
Contempt, like eye-rolling, is especially damaging.
Try this
Replace a complaint about character with a specific request.
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Learning 13 · Part 3
Artful Critique
The idea
Feedback works best when specific, solution-focused, delivered face to face and with care.
Example
'The report missed the budget section; can you add it by Friday?' beats 'you're careless'.
Try this
Criticise the behaviour, not the person.
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Learning 14 · Part 3
Emotions and Health
The idea
Chronic anger, anxiety and depression are linked to poorer health; supportive relationships to better health.
Example
Patients with strong support tend to recover better.
Takeaway
Emotional habits affect the body.
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Learning 15 · Part 4
Windows of Opportunity
The idea
Childhood experiences shape emotional habits, but the brain can still learn later.
Example
Children who learn to name feelings manage them better.
Takeaway
It's never too early, or too late, to learn.
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Learning 16 · Part 5
Teaching Emotional Skills
The idea
Goleman advocates social and emotional learning in schools.
Example
Classes where children practise naming feelings and resolving conflicts.
Takeaway
These skills can be taught.
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All 16 learnings complete
That’s all 16 learnings.
Emotions are information. Which feeling has been steering you without your noticing?
Abhay Kumar JaiswalFCA · PMP® · Workday Financeabhayjaiswal.com
Summaries in my own words. Read the book for the full stories.
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Summaries are written in my own words for learning. Read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman (1995) for the full stories. Goleman's claims about how much EQ predicts success compared with IQ have been debated by researchers. More Books in Bytes