Book Review of Understanding Emotional Intelligence

This is a free e-book published by www.free-management-ebooks.com. The book provides an excellent and even handed introduction to the subject of emotional intelligence. It defines emotional intelligence as “Understanding one’s own feelings, empathy for the feelings of others, and the regulation of emotion in a way that enhances living.” Reasonably enough, it adopts the Goleman competency model. For example here are the six competencies stated for the domain of Self-Management:

Emotional self-control: This is the ability to remain composed whatever state your emotions are in. People with this competence:

• Manage their impulsive feelings and distressing emotions well
• Stay composed, positive, and unflappable even in trying moments
• Think clearly and stay focused under pressure

Transparency: This means that you will do what you say, when you say you’ll do it. People with this competence:

• Act ethically and are above reproach
• Build trust through their reliability and authenticity

• Admit their own mistakes and confront unethical actions in others
• Take tough, principled stands even if they are unpopular

Adaptability: The ability to change something, or oneself, to fit occurring changes. People with this competence:

• Smoothly handle multiple demands, shifting priorities, and rapid change
• Adapt their responses and tactics to fit fluid circumstances
• Are flexible in how they see events

Achievement: This requires an individual to show concern for working toward a self-imposed and defined standard of excellence. People with this competence:

• Set themselves challenging goals
• Measure their own performance against those goals
• Actively seek out information to get the job done
• Use their time efficiently

Initiative: This means taking the lead in problem-solving and conflict resolution as well as taking action to prevent problems from occurring in the first place. People with this competence:

• Seek out fresh ideas from a wide variety of sources
• Entertain original solutions to problems
• Generate new ideas
• Take fresh perspectives and risks in their thinking

Optimism: People with this competence seeing the upside in events and are persistent in pursuing goals despite obstacles and setbacks. They:

• Persist in seeking goals despite obstacles and setbacks
• Operate from hope of success rather than fear of failure
• See setbacks as due to manageable circumstance rather than a personal flaw

My problem is that when I read of list such as the above (and remember these are only six of the 18 competencies) I say to myself, “Where is the competency for walking on water?”

I also have a problem that again in the book there is no mention of temperament. As a 7MTF practitioner I would look at the above list and ask a set a different questions about someone’s emotional intelligence based on the Seven 7MTF components of temperament.

Emotional self-control & Transparency: How high is the person’s Regulator component? If too high are you a pedantic, cold fish; if too low are you neurotic and emotionally unstable.

Adaptability: How strong is your GoGetter component? If too strong you will be flexible with the truth; but if too low you will be gullible to suggestions.

Achievement: How strong is your Politician component? If too strong you will be dogmatic and self-opinionated, if too low you will be popular but also perceived as weak.

Initiative: How strong is your Artist component? If it is very strong you will be creative but also very stubborn, if too weak unable to accept original solutions.

Optimism: How strong is your Socialiser component? If too strong you will come across as glib and superficial, if too weak you will blame yourself for setbacks and have low resilience.

The great thing about the 7MTF model is it is very easy to do a personal profiling questionnaire which that will compare your temperament components against the rest of the population.