8 Best-Selling Emotional Intelligence Books Millions Love
Explore Emotional Intelligence Books recommended by Drew Huston (Dropbox CEO), Deke Bridges (Marketing Expert), and The Dalai Lama, featuring proven strategies for personal and professional growth.



When millions of readers and top experts agree on the value of emotional intelligence, it’s clear this skill matters more than ever. In today’s complex social and professional landscapes, the ability to understand and manage emotions can shape success in profound ways. These eight best-selling Emotional Intelligence books offer proven frameworks and practical guidance that have helped countless individuals enhance their self-awareness, empathy, and leadership skills.
Experts like Drew Huston, CEO of Dropbox, emphasize the transformative impact of emotional intelligence on innovation and teamwork. Marketing strategist Deke Bridges praises practical tools for balancing IQ and EQ, while spiritual leader The Dalai Lama highlights the importance of emotional habits in fostering compassion and resilience. Their endorsements reflect a rich blend of perspectives that inform these popular selections.
While these books provide solid foundations and validated approaches, you might consider creating a personalized Emotional Intelligence book to focus specifically on your unique challenges and goals. This tailored approach combines expert insights with your personal context to accelerate growth in the areas that matter most to you.
Recommended by Deke Bridges
Social media and marketing expert
“Current read... fascinating IQ vs EQ. Worthy book.” (from X)
by Travis Bradberry, Jean Greaves, Patrick M. Lencioni··You?
by Travis Bradberry, Jean Greaves, Patrick M. Lencioni··You?
What happens when clinical psychology expertise meets practical workplace challenges? Dr. Travis Bradberry, co-founder of TalentSmart and a dual Ph.D. holder, developed the methods in this book to boost emotional intelligence through four key skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. You'll learn how to recognize and regulate your emotions, navigate social complexities, and strengthen interpersonal connections, with clear exercises and an online EQ assessment to track progress. This book suits professionals aiming to improve workplace dynamics and anyone seeking to enhance emotional skills that matter beyond raw IQ.
by Ph.D. John Gottman, Joan Declaire, Daniel Goleman·You?
by Ph.D. John Gottman, Joan Declaire, Daniel Goleman·You?
Unlike most emotional intelligence books that focus on theory, this work by Ph.D. John Gottman and co-authors Joan Declaire and Daniel Goleman zeroes in on practical parenting strategies. You learn a five-step "emotion coaching" process that helps you recognize, validate, and guide your child's feelings, fostering their emotional regulation skills. Chapters detail how to turn emotional moments into teaching opportunities, with clear examples on labeling emotions and problem-solving. If you want to nurture confident, socially skilled children with healthier emotional lives, this book offers a grounded approach, though it's best suited for parents ready to engage deeply rather than casual readers.
by TailoredRead AI·
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored book explores emotional intelligence with a focus uniquely matched to your interests and background, offering a personalized path to mastering emotional skills and building resilience. It examines how emotional awareness, regulation, empathy, and stress management interact to affect personal and professional success. By addressing your specific goals, the book reveals ways to cultivate emotional agility that aligns with your experiences and challenges. Blending widely valued findings with insights tailored to you, this book uncovers how personalized emotional learning can deepen self-understanding and enhance your ability to navigate complex social dynamics effectively. It’s a focused journey into emotional intelligence designed to engage and empower your growth.
Recommended by The Dalai Lama
Spiritual leader and humanitarian
“This book succinctly explains how to deal with emotions creatively and employ our intelligence in a beneficial way.”
by Travis Bradberry··You?
by Travis Bradberry··You?
Unlike most emotional intelligence books that focus solely on theory, Dr. Travis Bradberry offers a habit-based approach to boosting your EQ in "Emotional Intelligence Habits." Drawing on his dual Ph.D. in Clinical and Industrial-Organizational psychology, Bradberry breaks down complex psychological and neuroscientific research into micro-behaviors you can actually practice daily. You'll learn how to improve your self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management through small but impactful habit changes, such as managing stress responses or enhancing communication tactics. This book suits anyone serious about developing emotional skills that directly impact leadership, relationships, and personal well-being.
Recommended by Drew Huston
Co-Founder and CEO of Dropbox
by Daniel Goleman··You?
by Daniel Goleman··You?
Daniel Goleman, drawing on years of reporting behavioral and brain sciences for the New York Times and his role at Rutgers University, challenges the traditional idea that IQ alone defines intelligence. You learn how emotional intelligence—skills like self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation—can influence your success and relationships more than raw intellect. The book explains why people with average IQs often outperform those with high IQs by mastering these emotional competencies, offering insights into nurturing these abilities throughout adulthood. Chapters exploring the brain’s dual systems and how emotions shape decisions provide concrete understanding you can apply in your personal and professional life.
Recommended by Martin Seligman
Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
“Sound and practical advice on leading effectively, based on science and business experience, from the leader in the field of emotional intelligence.”
by Daniel Goleman, Richard E. Boyatzis, Annie McKee··You?
by Daniel Goleman, Richard E. Boyatzis, Annie McKee··You?
When Daniel Goleman and his coauthors first explored leadership through the lens of emotional intelligence, they challenged the old assumption that intellect alone drives success. This book teaches you how self-awareness, empathy, and social skills form the foundation of truly effective leadership. By diving into concepts like resonant leadership and the neuroscience behind emotional connection, you gain tools to motivate and collaborate in complex environments. Whether you’re managing a team or aspiring to lead, the authors' blend of psychology and business insight helps you understand and influence others more profoundly.
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored book invites you on a focused journey to enhance your emotional intelligence with clear, actionable steps designed for rapid progress. It explores core concepts such as emotional awareness, self-regulation, and empathy, presenting them in ways that directly connect to your unique background and goals. By blending widely validated insights with your personal interests, it offers a customized path to understanding and managing emotions more effectively. The content reveals practical exercises and reflections that deepen your emotional insight, helping you build resilience and improve interpersonal connections within just one month. This personalized approach ensures you focus on what truly matters to you, accelerating your growth in emotional intelligence.
by Colleen Stanley·You?
What sets this book apart is Colleen Stanley's focus on emotional intelligence as a concrete skill set that salespeople can develop to navigate tough customer interactions. Drawing from her extensive experience as a sales trainer, Stanley shows you how impulse control, empathy, and trust-building directly impact sales success. For example, she explains how mastering emotional self-regulation improves your questioning and listening techniques, leading to more meaningful conversations. If you’re in sales or client-facing roles, this book offers practical insights into turning emotional intelligence into a competitive edge, though it’s less suited for those outside sales contexts.
by Daniel Goleman·You?
by Daniel Goleman·You?
Daniel Goleman's decades of research in psychology and neuroscience led him to reveal how emotional intelligence shapes success far beyond IQ or technical skill. In this book, you’ll learn to identify and develop key emotional competencies like self-awareness, impulse control, and empathy, all crucial for workplace excellence. Goleman breaks down how these skills influence hiring, promotion, and leadership effectiveness, offering practical insights for anyone aiming to advance their career. Whether you're an entry-level employee or a senior executive, this book clarifies why emotional intelligence matters and how you can cultivate it to improve your professional relationships and outcomes.
by Jaime Velasquez·You?
The methods Jaime Velasquez developed while navigating the complexities of daily overwhelm focus sharply on emotional intelligence as a gateway to personal flow and improved life quality. You’ll find clear guidance on cultivating self-awareness, managing relationships, and harnessing emotional insights to enhance creativity and learning. Specific chapters tackle how emotional intelligence intersects with flow states, offering practical tools to shift from stress to authentic engagement. This book is particularly useful if you’re seeking to break free from routine distractions and build deeper emotional connections with yourself and others. It’s a straightforward resource for those wanting to live more purposefully without fluff or jargon.
Proven Emotional Intelligence Methods, Personalized ✨
Get tailored emotional intelligence strategies suited to your specific goals and challenges.
Endorsed by thousands of Emotional Intelligence enthusiasts worldwide
Conclusion
This collection of Emotional Intelligence books reveals several clear themes: the power of practical, habit-based strategies; the importance of emotional skills in leadership and sales; and the growing recognition of emotional intelligence as a key driver of personal and professional success. If you prefer proven methods grounded in psychology, start with classics like Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. For validated approaches to leadership and workplace dynamics, combine Primal Leadership with Working with Emotional Intelligence.
For parents seeking focused guidance, Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child offers time-tested emotion coaching tools. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Emotional Intelligence book that blends these proven methods with your specific needs, accelerating your emotional growth journey.
These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in managing emotions, building relationships, and leading with empathy—skills that remain essential in an ever-changing world.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with Emotional Intelligence 2.0 for practical skills you can use immediately. It offers clear exercises and an online assessment that help you understand and improve your emotional abilities step-by-step.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Emotional Intelligence?
Not at all. Many, like Emotional Intelligence Groundwork, are approachable for beginners and focus on everyday habits and simple techniques to build your emotional skills gradually.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with foundational books like Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, then explore specialized titles such as Primal Leadership or Emotional Intelligence for Sales Success depending on your interests and goals.
Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?
You can pick one that fits your focus area. For example, parents might choose Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child, while professionals benefit from Working with Emotional Intelligence. Each book offers unique value tailored to different needs.
Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?
Emotional Intelligence dives into scientific theory and neuroscience, while Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and Emotional Intelligence Habits emphasize practical exercises and daily behaviors you can adopt.
How can I get Emotional Intelligence insights tailored just for me?
Expert books provide solid foundations, but personalized content can target your unique challenges and goals. Consider creating a personalized Emotional Intelligence book to combine proven methods with your specific situation for faster, more relevant growth.
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