Best Books On Emotional Intelligence – 11 Top Choices

Emotional intelligence involves self-awareness, motivation, social skills, and more. To succeed and build meaningful relationships, developing a strong EQ is essential. 

Emotional intelligence has been widely popularized and accepted in recent years due to the realization of its power. According to Breakthrough ROI, those with high emotional intelligence earn an average of $29,000 more each year than those with low emotional intelligence. Not only does it pose professional benefits, but personal benefits as well. Reading about emotional intelligence can help you gain more knowledge on how to use it within your life. Let’s take a look at the best books on emotional intelligence.

Best Books On Emotional Intelligence

Below are the 11 best books on emotional intelligence and how to increase your EQ to improve your life. While EQ isn’t innate, it can be learned, cultivated, and advanced through reading about the subject. By tapping into your emotional intelligence, you’ll be able to empathize effectively, become more optimistic, and hone in on your conversational skills. 

1. Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

Emotional Intelligence uncovers the reasons that EQ matters just as much, if not more than IQ. Goleman claims that developing a high EQ can improve the academic, social, and professional aspects of your life. He elaborates on his five components of emotional intelligence, including social skills, motivation, and self-awareness.

To understand emotions and emotional knowledge is to promote emotional growth. By reading Emotional Intelligence, you’ll be able to handle yourself in ways that others respect and act according to your moral compass.

2. The EQ Difference by Adele B. Lynn

In The EQ Difference, Adele B. Lynn provides a robust plan to help you put your emotional intelligence to work. Being named one of the top 10 job skills of 2020, emotional intelligence is a telling indicator of future success. Luckily, Lynn provides all the tools you’ll need to put it to action.

In this, she offers practical suggestions for developing your emotional intelligence and putting its benefits in your work environment. This perfect book for professionals can help you improve your performance and professional relationships by enhancing your emotional intelligence along your professional journey. 

3. At the Heart of Leadership by Joshua Freedman

At the Heart of Leadership is a book on how to get results by putting your emotional intelligence to use. For anyone looking to excel in their leadership skills, this book is for you. In this, Freedman goes into the importance of emotional intelligence and the crucial personality traits that those with high EQ have.

This emotional intelligence roadmap explains how to develop a character that makes you the best leader out there. Since you can’t walk into your workplace and develop emotional intelligence on the spot, Freedman teaches you how to build and incorporate your emotional intelligence into your own life and make it part of your approach to any interaction. 

4. Emotional Agility by Susan David

Praised by many, including Forbes and The Harvard Business Review, this #1 best-seller has been defined as one of the most helpful books for putting your emotional intelligence into action. This essential read offers us groundbreaking ways to identify our feelings and get unstuck by embracing change. 

Although the path to personal and emotional fulfillment is rarely without obstacles, David provides guidance that gives clarity like no other. With her science-based approach, you’ll be able to navigate life with more optimism and flexibility. 

5. The EQ Edge by Howard Book

This international best-seller explains how emotional intelligence plays an essential role in getting ahead in life. By elaborating on the positive relationship between emotional intelligence and success, Howard Book explains that intelligence is not enough; we must have emotional intelligence. 

While many factors, such as academic achievement and innate talent, are fixed, emotional intelligence allows us to learn more and cultivate a higher level of EQ throughout our lives. By reading The EQ Edge, you’ll be able to meet life’s most important moments with momentum and enthusiasm.

6. Working with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

In Working with Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman expresses his disdain for emotional intelligence not being taught in schools. Emotional intelligence is a must-have for success, needed now more than ever.

According to the Levo Institute, 80% of employees consider emotional intelligence a crucial factor in developing their careers. Luckily, in this practical guide, Goleman explains how you can foster emotional intelligence and set yourself apart from the mediocre. 

7. EQ Applied by Justin Bariso

EQ Applied is the real-world, comprehensive guide to emotional intelligence. Full of practical wisdom, this book provides scientific research and personal stories about the importance of emotional intelligence. By improving your emotional intelligence, you’re taking the first step toward the modern-day miracle of EQ.

In this, Bariso teaches the reader how to break bad habits and protect yourself from those who have low emotional intelligence. 

8. Becoming a Resonant Leader by Annie Mckee

Becoming a Resonant Leader is all about developing emotional intelligence, fostering meaningful relationships, and being more productive. While good leaders are intelligent and personable, exceptional leaders are loving and passionate about their field. In turn, they’re more involved, committed, and motivated to get things done.

This practical and inspiring hands-on guide will teach you how to lead from the heart and get others passionate about your mission. Through the power of resonance and emotional intelligence, great leaders become aligned with the desires of those they work with, leading to more success and community. 

9. Go Suck a Lemon by Michael Cornwall

In Go Suck a Lemon, Michael Cornwall provides unique strategies to improve your emotional intelligence. We all experience emotions, and Cornwall is here to provide us with cognitive skill-building strategies to make emotional experiences much more pleasant. 

This personal development book puts a positive spin on emotions, and has opened the eyes of many. By understanding the widespread role of emotional intelligence and self-awareness, you’ll be able to stop avoiding hardships and embrace inevitable change. 

10. Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman

Primal Leadership was the first book to establish the importance of emotional intelligence for leaders. Perfect for any manager or professional, Primal Leadership explains the importance of emotionally intelligent leadership. With this, you’ll learn how to master both the emotional and intellectual pursuits of your mind.

By silencing the battle between logic and feeling, you’ll be able to make better decisions across the board. Goleman even describes the six different types of leadership and which ones are most effective in gaining power in the professional world. 

11. The Language of Emotional Intelligence by Jeanne Segal

It’s no secret that emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in your relationships. Thankfully, The Language of Emotional Intelligence explains its exact importance and how you can use it. Expert in emotional intelligence and communication, Jeanne Segal provides the reader with a ready-to-use guide on applying emotional intelligence to everyday situations.

While emotions can both help and hurt your ability in your personal life, Segal explains how to maximize the benefits of emotions and find a happy medium between emotionless and over-emotional. 

Making Use Of Emotional Intelligence

Now you know the best books on emotional intelligence. By reading up on emotional intelligence, you’ll be able to improve your relationships with others and your relationship with yourself. Professionally, EQ is becoming increasingly important, and putting your EQ to use will allow you to level up almost immediately in the business world.

Whether you’re looking for better leadership skills, wanting to be more productive, or just looking to benefit your mind and health overall, emotional intelligence is key. Ultimately, emotional intelligence holds incredible potential for positive impact, making it highly beneficial to get your EQ score up right away.