5 Leadership Books to Unlock Your Emotional Intelligence

Want to take your leadership to the next level? Check out these 5 books that have inspired some of the world’s top emotional intelligence experts – and start applying the lessons today

By Michael Miller – February 14th, 2020

Are you looking for an inspirational and practical book to develop your own emotional intelligence as a leader? You’re in the right place. Recently we posed a question to our LinkedIn group of EQ experts:  What are the most useful leadership books you’ve read / shared / used?

Here are 5 expert recommendations for EQ leadership books:

The Art of Possibility

By Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander

“Published in 2000, The Art of Possibility presents twelve breakthrough practices for bringing creativity into all human endeavors. The dynamic product of an extraordinary partnership, The Art of Possibility combines Benjamin Zander’s experience as the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and his talent as a teacher and communicator with Rosamund Stone Zander’s genius for creating innovative paradigms for personal and professional fulfillment. Through uplifting stories, parables, and personal anecdotes, the Zanders invite us all to become passionate communicators, leaders, and performers whose lives radiate possibility into the world.” 

How Will You Measure Your Life?

By Clayton Christensen

Full of inspiration and wisdom and based on decades of business research, Christensen offers a series of guidelines for finding meaning and happiness in life. “He goes beyond the typical ‘find meaning, discover your why, live on purpose’ messages,” Six Seconds CEO Josh Freedman posted in the group, “and actually offers ideas on HOW to make work and life more deeply meaningful… not in grandiose ways, but starting from our own daily interactions.”

How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain

By Lisa Feldman Barrett

“The science of emotion is in the midst of a revolution on par with the discovery of relativity in physics and natural selection in biology. Leading the charge is psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, whose research overturns the long-standing belief that emotions are automatic, universal, and hardwired in different brain regions. Instead, Barrett shows, we construct each instance of emotion through a unique interplay of brain, body, and culture. A lucid report from the cutting edge of emotion science.” – Amazon

The Choice

By Dr Edith Eva Eger

Edie weaves her remarkable personal journey as a Holocaust survivor with the moving stories of those she has helped heal as a professional psychologist. She explores how we can be imprisoned in our own minds and shows us how to find the key to freedom. The Choice is a life-changing book that will provide hope and comfort to generations of readers.

Brain Rules

By John Medina

“In Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina, a molecular biologist, shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we live the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule—what scientists know for sure about how our brains work—and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives. Medina’s fascinating stories and infectious sense of humor breathe life into brain science.” – Amazon

Do you have more recommendations for books on emotionally intelligent readership? Please add them in the comments – along with why you found that book inspiring or impactful!

And if you want more recommendations from our network, check out this article.