Optimal: How to Sustain Personal and Organizational Excellence Every Day

As expected this book was purchased new and was in exceptional quality when it was delivered.

Authors do a good job of explaining what optimal state is and how emotional intelligence is an important ingredient in operating at optimal level for long periods. They do tend to overemphasize the importance of EI , however it is a good guide on how to leverage EI in one’s life.

Personal Achievement

Opening chapters were great, with very compelling arguments on the importance of emotional intelligence, particularly in the work place. The author follows this up with examples of researchers who have demonstrated that emotional intelligence is critical in the work environment. However, after it seemed like there were endless examples of research supporting the author's thesis, without new ideas. Finally, the last chapter got a bit weird. After spending many chapters supporting the thesis with research study examples, the author suddenly makes bold, unfounded claims about emotional intelligence being the key to helping solve the problem of climate change, and then there is a strange tangent about threats of chemicals in our environment (in vague terms without any research references now), and that emotional intelligence will help to solve this poorly defined problem as well. Where did that come from?!?? A good editor would have removed this, and kept the focus on emotional intelligence in the workplace and with personal performance. Anyhow, my final recommendation would be for other to read the first 5 chapters and then stop at that point. Not sure if there was a whole book to be written here.

Wonderful book! Emotional intelligence is not just a touchy-feely concept...its application in the workplace organizations and the lives of those working there matters!

I found this book to be helpful for personal and professional growth.

This is a must-read book on how to leverage emotional and social intelligence to excel at work, leadership, and relationships. Backed by the latest research, Optimal offers practical strategies on how be at your best--and in a sustainable way. Goleman and Cherniss also share insightful ideas on how to train and build EI cultures as well as the importance of team EI (based on ground-breaking work by Vanessa Druskat). I have recommended the book to all my work colleagues as well as to my friends and family!

Emotional intelligence expert Daniel Goleman's new book is about how to use this ability to "increase your effectiveness in your personal life and work." The basis is mastery of three forms of empathy: cognitive (understanding the way of thinking of another), emotional (understanding other people’s feelings) and, most importantly, empathic concern - this is the ability to tell a person exactly what he needs now. Absolutely love it.

The most interesting part is at the end when the authors talk about how to get organizations to be more in tune with emotional intelligence and the last chapter about the future of emotional intelligence. The rest is just a “why is EQ important” and to be honest, could have been written in one small chapter. Still insightful and a good read. A book every CEO should read/listen to

Having been a fan of Dan Golemans work on EQ i was very excited to buy and read this book which claimed to include practical methods of application. This book offers nothing new except personal evangelical anecdotes (from the two authors) and a reliance on stories from a highly select organizations from corporate america. Nothing new is offered and i would recommend you read Goleman's original book 'Emotional Intelligence' for more practical application. This book really feels like a cash grab based on past reputation.

Terrific guiding book on how to try and stay optimal and well and have a positive impact on those around you in challenging times. Great tips shared by Daniel.