Rick Aberman, John Anderson - Emotional Intelligence and Optimal Performance

In order to achieve “sustained optimal performance,” individuals cannot rely on talent or technical ability alone. In fact, when it comes to predicting success, research has demonstrated that emotional intelligence is more than twice as important as either talent or technical ability. Defined as “the ability to stay focused on a goal in the face of competing emotions,” the concept of emotional intelligence helps explain why in a situation where two athletes have comparable talent, one reaches his potential and the other does not. Emotional Intelligence and Optimal Performance provides insight and strategy that can help make the inexact science of talent evaluation and selection more reliable. Unlike IQ, a person’s emotional intelligence is something that can be learned and improved.

Among the topics covered:

• What is emotional intelligence?
• Self-awareness
• Emotional management and motivation
• Empathy
• Social skills
• Interpersonal effectiveness
• Emotional listening
• Balancing relationships