Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence (1995) fundamentally changed how people think about intelligence and success. Goleman argues that, contrary to the traditional emphasis on IQ as the main predictor of achievement, emotional intelligence (EQ) is equally—if not more—important in determining how we navigate life, relationships, and work15.
What Is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions as well as recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others. Goleman builds on the foundational work of psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer, who defined emotional intelligence as a set of skills related to perceiving, using, understanding, and managing emotions15.
Goleman organizes emotional intelligence into four core domains, each with specific competencies2:
Self-Awareness: Recognizing one’s emotions and their effects (Emotional Self-Awareness).
Self-Management: Managing one’s emotions, adapting to change, striving for achievement, and maintaining a positive outlook (Emotional Self-Control, Adaptability, Achievement Orientation, Positive Outlook).
Social Awareness: Sensing others’ emotions, understanding social networks, and showing empathy (Empathy, Organizational Awareness).
Relationship Management: Influencing others, managing conflict, inspiring and developing others, and working in teams (Influence, Coach and Mentor, Conflict Management, Teamwork, Inspirational Leadership)2.
Key Insights and Arguments
Goleman explains the biological basis for emotions, focusing on the interplay between the rational brain (neocortex) and the emotional brain (limbic system, especially the amygdala). He describes how “emotional hijackings” can occur when the amygdala reacts before the rational brain can intervene, leading to impulsive actions14. This evolutionary wiring, he argues, means that emotions often override reason, making emotional intelligence crucial for effective decision-making14.
He also presents research showing that high IQ does not guarantee success or happiness. Instead, people with high emotional intelligence tend to have better mental health, job performance, and leadership skills15. Goleman advocates for teaching emotional skills in schools, emphasizing that these abilities can be learned and developed at any age45.
Accessible Synthesis: Goleman translates complex scientific research into accessible language, making the concept of emotional intelligence understandable to a broad audience14.
Practical Application: The book provides real-life examples and practical advice for improving emotional intelligence at work, in relationships, and in education45.
Cultural Impact: By popularizing the concept of EQ, Goleman shifted public and professional discourse, influencing how organizations hire, train, and evaluate leaders5.
Scientific Foundation: While Goleman’s model is broader than the original academic definitions, he grounds his arguments in neuroscience and psychology, lending credibility to his claims14.
Scientific Critique: Critics argue that Goleman’s definition of emotional intelligence is too broad and ill-defined, making it difficult to measure or validate scientifically3. The original academic model by Salovey and Mayer is more precise, while Goleman’s expansion has been called a “fad” and a “bandwagon” lacking rigorous evidence for some claims3.
Measurement Issues: The tools for assessing EQ are often subjective, relying on self-report or consensus rather than objective right-or-wrong answers3.
Overemphasis on Brain: Some reviewers note that Goleman focuses heavily on the brain and neglects the role of the body and holistic experiences in emotional life4.
Lack of Depth on Societal Causes: The book highlights the rise of emotional problems in society but does not deeply explore systemic or global causes, focusing instead on individual solutions4.
Emotional Intelligence became a global phenomenon because it addressed a widespread need to understand the complexities of human interaction and offered a framework for developing compassion, empathy, and wisdom in both personal and professional settings5. The book’s timing coincided with a growing recognition that technical skills and IQ alone do not guarantee success or happiness. Its influence is seen in business, education, and even government, where EQ training is now common5.
Goleman’s work resonated because it offered hope: emotional skills can be learned and improved, leading to better decisions, healthier relationships, and more fulfilling lives. In a world increasingly aware of the importance of mental health and social connection, Emotional Intelligence provided a language and toolkit for navigating the emotional complexities of modern life5.
In sum, while Goleman’s book is not without flaws—particularly regarding scientific rigor and measurement—it remains a landmark work that reframed how we understand intelligence and success, making emotional intelligence a household term and a core component of leadership and personal development.