A leader asked me the other day, what is emotional intelligence? Can you point me to an article that does a good job describing what it is? You know, like an executive summary?
I was caught a bit short, because the answer was "no." I've read lots of articles about emotional intelligence, but all were more academic than anything. None I'd recommend as an executive orientation to emotional intelligence, what it is, why an executive should care about it, and, most importantly, how to develop it.
What did I do? What any self-respecting consultant would do. I went to Wikipedia and looked up "emotional intelligence." Great write-up summarizing all the bally-hoo about it. But still nothing I could recommend to this leader.
Bummer. Now what to do? As I was wondering that, I came across a quotation. I am sorry that I cannot cite the exact author, but the author was an author, and it goes something like this. "If you have ever really wanted to read a book, and it has not been written, write it."
It won't be a book, but because I do need to answer Gary's question, I will do a series here to explore that subject. If you have something to add to the exploration, please let me know. And if you've ever seen a really good article on emotional intelligence, what it is, why you should care, and how to develop it, send it on. I'd love to be spared the effort of writing it. :)
