Emotional Quotient

What is the Best EQ book out there

Maintaining good relationships, working in teams, and adjusting to diverse social and commercial contexts all need emotional intelligence. Improving your capacity to convey pleasant emotions, in conjunction with reading an EQ book are very effective strategies for increasing your emotional quotient score. 

Fortunately, there are tried-and-true methods for improving people's emotional intelligence. There are several popular books on the subject. You should begin by understanding the foundations of the idea of emotional intelligence. Once you have a firm foundation of emotional education, you will observe how your life improves from several perspectives.

The article will synthesize some EQ books in many forms such as paper books, e-books and audio books, supporting readers with many useful and in-depth knowledge about emotional intelligence, methods to improve EQ scores and management skills in work and study.

EQ Textbooks

1. Go Suck a Lemon: Strategies for Improving Your Emotional Intelligence – Michael Cornwall

This author created an incredible resource that teaches individuals how to enhance their emotional intelligence via practical activities. According to Dr. Cornwall, the process of increasing your EQ begins with a dedication to self-development as well as a total shift of the way you think and conduct. People that are emotionally healthy ponder before behaving. They are open-minded and self-sufficient. This EQ book will show you how to get there.

Another excellent handbook in which he concentrates on components of EQ such as emotional control, open-mindedness, breaking free from emotional co-dependence, and thinking before acting. The book is written in a straightforward manner, with the goal of providing you with a technique you may utilize when tackling any work with more thoughtful and well-thought-out emotional issue resolution.

2. Emotional Intelligence 2.0 – Travis Bradberry, Patrick Lencioni and Jean Greaves

This EQ book is one of the most well-known on the subject, focusing on how to utilize EQ to enhance your life. Emotional intelligence is associated with today's difficult economic situations and demanding jobs, according to Bradberry, Lencioni, and Greaves. They propose a number of techniques to assist people in adapting to such situations and channeling the unpleasant feelings that arise as a result of them. 

There is a step-by-step method for developing your emotional intelligence that focuses on four main skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management, as well as exercises to help you improve in each of these areas. 

The program, which helps individuals to enhance their emotional health by following defined stages focusing on basic abilities such as social awareness, self-awareness, relationship management, and self-management, is the book's most significant benefit.

3. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ – Daniel Goleman

Dr. Goleman presents a clear contrast between EQ and IQ, arguing that intellectual knowledge alone will not help us accomplish self-improvement without the support of a high EQ. The author helps us grasp the critical skills for success by supporting his views with data from neuroscience and psychology.
The book is far from abstract; Goleman also provides suggestions on how people may enhance their EQ, which will lead to improved relationships, work performance, and physical well-being.

Dr. Goleman, an expert on brain and behavioral sciences, outlines the critical skills for success given by emotional intelligence, which may decide your performance in relationships and job and may affect your entire health. His suggestions for improving emotional intelligence are well worth reading.

4. The EQ Difference: A Powerful Plan for Putting Emotional Intelligence to Work – Adele B. Lynn

There is a wealth of material available online on emotional intelligence. Many of those publications, however, are based on abstract notions that may help you grasp the concept of emotional well-being but will not help you attain it. That is why it is critical to locate a more detailed book that walks you through the precise actions you may take toward personal improvement.

Adele B. Lynn offers practical guidance to professionals at all levels. Her realistic examples and recommendations assist readers in understanding the implications that various emotions have on our values, relationships, and performance at work. You will be able to attain higher professional success after you understand how to detect these impacts.

In short, this EQ book focuses on using your EQ in the workplace (as the title aptly states). She demonstrates the enormous influence your emotions may have on your life at work, from performance to colleague relationships, via practice examples and instructive activities. This is accomplished by simple (and practical) modifications in your ideas and behaviors.

5. The EQ Edge: Emotional Intelligence and Your Success – Steven J. Stein and Howard E. Book

This book might easily become a long-term companion for you. Highly developed intellect and inventiveness are absolutely required for effective performance on numerous levels, but emotional intelligence plays an equally important role. This EQ book explains why EQ is so important when people want to advance in their careers, enhance their relationships, gain confidence, and become leaders.
The book also provides a practical approach to help all of us improve our relationships not just with others, but also with ourselves.

6. The New Psycho-Cybernetics – Maxwell Maltz

This is a revised edition of Maxwell Maltz's important book, released in 1960. Emotional intelligence is not a new idea; people have been aware of its significance for over a century. The psycho-cybernetics hypothesis investigates the process of regulating ideas and emotions. This EQ book of Maltz will show you how to turn things around from negative to positive.
You will eventually rewire the way your mind processes information. This will allow you to attain your job objectives while also improving your general quality of life.

7. Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence - Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee

First published in 2001, Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence focuses more on leadership development. Given that a major premise of the authors' work is with styles of Leadership,' it may have consequences for people in control of teams or businesses. 

Goleman, as well as writers Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee, each rely on their own consulting expertise to identify and introduce the six previously stated styles - each of which may be more suited to employ in certain scenarios. They include:

  • Visionary;
  • Affiliative;
  • Democratic;
  • Coaching;
  • Commanding;
  • Pacesetting.

Readers interested in learning more about the theory underpinning EI will be glad to discover that Primal Leadership does occasionally mention (and analyze) academic studies. For example, the writers use research data to illustrate the link between Emotional Intelligence (particularly self-awareness and empathy) and certain leadership characteristics.
Nevertheless, it is not too intellectual and is considered by most to be a pretty simple read. Boyatzis also exposes the reader to his own Theory of Self-Directed Learning (Boyatzis, 1999) in order to empower leaders with the tools they need to continue to develop professionally.

8. Building Emotional Intelligence – Linda Lantieri

This EQ book is completely one of your favorites if you are parents and someone who works in education. It is critical to assist your children in developing the foundations of EQ at a young age. Reading, science, and math are not the most essential aspects of a child's development. Rather, it is what Linda Lantieri refers to as inner resilience. Adults who want to improve their emotional intelligence can benefit from the strategy outlined in this book.
Although the resources are geared at children and helping them develop inner resilience, they may also be used by adults. Because the author uses a step-by-step method to help people enhance their attention and awareness, boost their self-esteem and empathy, and improve their ability to communicate effectively. From coping with stress to dealing with disappointment, the step-by-step guidance that the author presents will help you enhance your attention and awareness, boost your self-esteem and empathy, and give you more control over your emotions and wellness.

9. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change – Stephen R. Covey

This author offers a comprehensive method to resolving professional and personal issues. Although the book is not usually discussed in the same sentence as the others, but there's a reason it's still a best-seller and go-to for millions of people across the world. Taking a less traditional approach to the issue, the author is not focused on emotional intelligence as the others on this list are, but instead provides a guide for anybody wanting to better understand and  develop mastery over their emotions.Therefore, this can be still classified the "EQ book".  The seven habits outlined in his book all necessitate an awareness and control of emotional intelligence while teaching individuals how to become more proactive, big-picture thinkers, and handle diverse relationships while developing more effective communication skills. Covey teaches individuals how to live with integrity, decency, and justice via tales and insightful ideas.

10. The Language of Emotional Intelligence: The Five Essential Tools for Building Powerful and Effective Relationships – Jeanne Segal

This author doesn't waste time attempting to persuade you of the importance of emotional intelligence in your relationships; you should already know that. The benefit of this book is that it allows you to apply what you've learned in your everyday life. Jeanne Segal provides practical guidance based on research and real-life experiences.
The EQ book's five fundamental techniques will help you improve your relationships by enhancing your ability to diffuse disagreements and conflicts, understand nonverbal cues, and increase your capacity for clear communication.

This is a book that everyone must be read, and for good reason. It's a great place to learn how to use emotional intelligence to improve your relationships with just about everyone in your life. Segal lays out a straightforward step-by-step method for applying five fundamental tools of emotional intelligence to improve your relationships via improved communication, understanding nonverbal signs, and learning how to diffuse disputes and conflicts before they escalate.

11. Working with Emotional Intelligence - Goleman’s 

Goleman's second book, Emotional Intelligence, delves more into how the Emotional Quotient (EQ) abilities mentioned in Emotional Intelligence (above) may be used in the workplace.
Indeed, it is strongly focused on the professional sphere once again and provides a lot for managers, leaders, and the collective organization – in many respects, it is an extension of the first.

12. Becoming a Resonant Leader: Develop Your Emotional Intelligence, Renew Your Relationships, Sustain Your Effectiveness - Richard Boyatzis, Fran Johnston, Annie McKee

The best leaders use their emotional intelligence to create resonance with others, as Annie McKee and Richard Boyatzis demonstrated in their best-selling books, Primal Leadership and Resonant Leadership. Resonant leaders are aware of the needs and desires of those they lead. They create conditions for people to excel. They pay attention to life's wake-up calls and work to improve their capacity for excellence. 

This publication is primarily aimed at executives and is a mid-length, yet in-depth, book of around 250 pages. According to the authors,'resonance' assists leaders in managing the emotional content of teams and organizations. Leaders who utilize Emotional Intelligence to create and strengthen connections with their coworkers are better equipped to manage others, resulting in an ideal atmosphere for teams. 

Becoming a Resonant Leader, which is based on 20 years of study and work with executives, also includes a variety of interactive activities for evaluating one's own leadership principles and abilities, as well as some direction for building an action plan for purposeful change. It is a valuable resource for therapists, coaches, and leaders in this regard.

13. Emotional Intelligence For Sales Success Summary - Colleen Stanley

Colleen Stanley, a professional sales trainer and the founder of SalesLeadership, wrote Emotional Intelligence for Sales Success: Connect with Customers and Get Results. According to Stanley, as sales people, EI is critical in helping us better understand, meet, and connect with decision-makers. 

Without a doubt, strong sales relationships and success are inextricably linked. The numerous examples Stanley uses in this book, on the other hand, provide deeper insight into and beyond this. This is then supplemented with practical activities aimed at sales team leaders.

Stanley also looks at how an Emotionally Intelligent sales culture may be developed for sales success and goes into the characteristics of such a culture. She utilizes additional case studies and research data to demonstrate her point more clearly and effectively. 

She discusses common sales concerns that frequently lead to difficulties in emotion management and various hurdles in prospecting in order to provide a multidimensional picture of EI in sales. She distinguishes between ‘hard' sales abilities and those linked to Emotional Intelligence in order to provide even more in-depth treatment of the issues at hand.

EQ Ebooks

1. Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child -  Dr. John Gottman

Dr. John Gottman is the author of Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child. His 1998 book outlines a strategy for helping youngsters to acquire Emotional Intelligence based on his work with over 120 families. 

This ‘five-step’ method involves (Gottman.com, 2018):

  1. Being aware of a child’s emotions;
  2. Recognizing emotional expression as an opportunity for intimacy and teaching;
  3. Listening empathetically and validate a child’s feelings;
  4. Label emotions in words a child can understand;
  5. Helping a child discover appropriate ways to solve a problem or deal with an upsetting situation.


It inspires the parent or reader to reflect on their existing approaches to emotional intelligence coaching and addresses real-world barriers to emotional intelligence coaching.
As a result, the information is given in a manner that successfully mirrors Gottman's own professional experience. In this compact 240-page parenting handbook, empathy, connection, and understanding are all major fundamental ideas.

2. Emotional Intelligence Pocketbook: Little Exercises for an Intuitive Life - Gill Hasson

Gill Hasson is a career coach with a long record of accomplishments. The Emotional Intelligence Pocketbook is one of numerous EQ books she's authored, and it's also a highly practical, bite-sized ebook.
If you don't want a lengthy read, this EQ book is exactly what the title implies: a compact collection of practical tasks and examples to demonstrate the principles.

Even the paperback will fit nicely in your purse, pocket, or similar, allowing you to practice on the go. 

Looking within, these little activities are organized into four major chapters: Understanding Emotions, Managing Emotions, Developing Your Emotional Intelligence, and Developing Your Social Intelligence. Throughout, and again at the end of the book, Hasson includes inspiring Emotional Intelligence quotes to keep you motivated.

3. A Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence: Get Smart about Emotion - Dr. David Walton

Dr. David Walton is a behavioral change specialist, which is clear from his basic review of Emotional Intelligence.
This practical handbook is intended for organizational leaders who want to improve their professional interpersonal abilities. It includes exercises on emotions and self-control, as well as understanding and influencing people.
It is a brief read, but it refers to a few additional books for further reading, some of which contain Daniel Goleman's work.

4. Quick Emotional Intelligence Activities for Busy Managers: 50 Team Exercises That Get Results in Just 15 Minutes - Adele Lynn

Adele Lynn, the founder of Lynn Leadership Group, has written a simple Emotional Intelligence booklet geared for organizational managers and leaders.
It includes activities that are intended to assist team members in dealing with emotional obstacles in order to improve effectiveness.
Those interested in learning more about the connections between Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Effectiveness can pick from a variety of activities geared to various levels of expertise. It also includes important activities for addressing a lack of trust among teams in order to improve collaboration.

1. Emotional Intelligence: A 21-Day Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Social Skills, Improve Your Relationships, and Boost Your EQ -David Clark

The professional and personal benefits of Emotional Intelligence are clearly covered in David Clark's relatively short (1 hour 44 minute) audiobook. 

Clark presents the major themes extremely clearly and in an instructive manner, and it is easy to listen to and full of valuable emotional intelligence exercises. He performs a good job at choosing his words, which ensures that the essential principles are not difficult to grasp right away. 

Emotional Intelligence: A 21-Day Step-by-Step Guide is an excellent primer for those new to the topic, and it makes the connections between EI and social success very clear.

It is also a wonderful method to break down concepts learnt and take them day by day (as the title implies), which may be beneficial for those of us who want to reflect on what we have learned. Similarly, the day-by-day format makes it simple to utilize this EQ book as a supplement to a daily EI diary.

Download David Clark’s Emotional Intelligence audiobook from Audible.

2. HBR Guide to Emotional Intelligence

The Harvard Business Review Guide to Emotional Intelligence is slightly over five hours long, and it focuses mostly on the more well-known components of EI and how they ‘work in the workplace.'
Perceiving emotions, emotional self-awareness, and emotion management are all discussed—not only in terms of their significance, but also of how we may improve them.

Amongst other things, the HBR Guide to Emotional Intelligence audiobook offers expert ‘how-to’ advice for listeners who want to (Harvard Business Review, 2017):

  • Identify their personal EI strengths and weaknesses;
  • Build Emotional Intelligence in their teams;
  • Deal more positively with adversity; and
  • Influence those around us.

The audiobook version is available from Audible, and those who prefer to read rather than listen can also access the EQ book from the HBR Website.

3. Thinking, Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman

Daniel Kahneman, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, was born in Israel in 1934. Among his many notable accomplishments, he received the American Psychological Association's Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology in 2007. 

Kahneman's extensive psychology career includes numerous academic journal publications, some of which he directly references in his book Thinking, Fast and Slow. 

This book is divided into more than thirty chapters and provides a profound (literary) illustration of not only how humans use emotions, but also the psychological underpinnings of how we do so.

In Thinking, Fast and Slow, Kahneman draws heavily on his own research, providing readers with a wealth of information on his findings. It does, on occasion, cross over into mathematics. For example, the author connects ideas like numerical reasoning and risk to our human proclivity to digest unfamiliar circumstances faster than any other species.

This is considered as the best EQ book you should read if you want to increase your EQ as well as your IQ.

The audiobook version is available from Audible which is free from Amazon website.