Here's why being "book smart" might not be the most crucial factor in leading a successful life.

From the desk of Miles Everson:

Hello!

I hope you’re all having a great Friday.

I personally like Fridays because I get to publish  “Mindfulness by Miles”  articles, which revolve around health, wealth, well-being, happiness, future of work, book reviews, marketing, tips, etc. My goal here is to empower you in both your career and personal life.

For today, let’s talk about another book that I think would be helpful for all of us in terms of maturing as professionals.

Keep reading below to know why most of the time, if not always, EQ is more important than IQ.

Here's why being "book smart" might not be the most crucial factor in leading a successful life.

Imagine you’re in a meeting, and someone makes a snarky comment that immediately sets you off…

You can feel your temperature rising, your hands clenching, and before you know it, you’ve snapped back in a way that leaves everyone in the room stunned—and not in a good way.

Uh-oh…

Now, think about a different scenario: Same snarky comment, but this time, you take a deep breath, collect your thoughts, and respond in a way that shifts the energy of the conversation.

There’s a BIG difference, right?

One moment shows a lack of emotional control; the other, mastery over emotions.

This difference is at the core of what author Daniel Goleman explores in his book,  “Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.”

In this book, Goleman opens up a whole new way of thinking about success, suggesting that being “book smart” might not be the most crucial factor in leading a successful life.

Instead, he argues that emotional intelligence—or EQ—plays a pivotal role in personal and professional growth.

In other words?

It’s NOT about solving complex equations or knowing historical facts; it’s about how well you manage your emotions, build relationships, and understand others’ emotional landscapes.

Furthermore, Goleman breaks down emotional intelligence into five key components that shape how you interact with the world:

• Self-awareness

  The foundation of emotional intelligence, self-awareness involves recognizing your own emotions as they happen.

  It’s important to always ask yourself:

  “How often do I stop to think about what I’m feeling?”

  Doing this allows you to understand how your emotions influence your thoughts and actions.

• Self-regulation

  It’s one thing to be aware of your emotions, and it’s another thing to know how to manage them.

  Self-regulation is the ability to control your impulses, stay calm under pressure, and pause before reacting. This skill helps prevent those regrettable outbursts whenever you’re in tense situations.

• Motivation

  Motivation in emotional intelligence goes beyond external rewards. It’s about being driven by internal desires, passion, and purpose.

  Try observing those people with a high EQ. They tend to be more resilient, goal-oriented, and optimistic, even in the face of setbacks.

• Empathy

  In many ways, empathy is the heart of emotional intelligence. It’s your ability to sense and understand others’ emotions, putting yourself in their shoes.

  What’s more?

  Empathy fosters deeper connections and makes you more effective in resolving conflicts and supporting those around you.

• Social skills

  Being emotionally intelligent isn’t just about understanding and regulating your own emotions; it’s also about how you interact with others.

  Besides, strong social skills help you manage your relationships, inspire others, communicate effectively, and build trust.

See?

While IQ has often been seen as a predictor of success, Goleman makes a compelling case that these EQ traits are just as, if not more, important.

After all, emotional intelligence determines how well you handle stress, make decisions, and engage with others—all of which are skills that are critical in leadership, teamwork, and overall life satisfaction.

—

The beauty of Goleman’s  “Emotional Intelligence”  book is that it doesn’t just tell you what EQ is; it also offers actionable ways to improve your EQ.

Goleman suggests that emotional intelligence is not fixed; it can be developed over time through practice and awareness.

Whether it’s learning to be more mindful of your emotional triggers or working on your listening skills to become more empathetic, the book provides tools to build stronger emotional foundations.

Ultimately, Goleman’s  “Emotional Intelligence”  book is a powerful reminder that life isn’t just a test of how “smart” you are on paper.

More importantly, it’s about how well you navigate the emotional landscape of your daily life—how you manage your own emotions, connect with others, and lead with empathy and resilience.

So, whether you’re looking to become a better leader, build stronger relationships, or simply understand yourself better, this book offers a roadmap to cultivating the emotional skills that truly matter!

… and always remember: Sure, IQ is what will  get  you to where you want to be, but EQ is what will help you stay in that position.

I hope you find this book author’s insights helpful in the same way that I did!

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