Amy Jacobson - Emotional Intelligence: A Simple and Actionable Guide to Increasing Performance, Engagement and Ownership

1. Chapter 3
2. Chapter 7

1. Chapter 6
2. Chapter 8
3. Chapter 9

Amy Jacobson

First published in 2021 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064
Office also in Melbourne

John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2021

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

ISBN: 9780730391494

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.

Cover design by Wiley

Figure 2 brain image: Sergey7777/Getty Images

Disclaimer
The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.

From Professor Gary Martin

Emotional intelligence, or lack of it, has become one of the most talkedabout issues in our workplaces over the past decade.

With interest increasing over time, we now recognise that while our pure intellectual horsepower might help us to land a job, it's our emotional intelligence that determines exactly where we will end up in our careers.

In the broadest terms, our emotional intelligence is simply our capacity to deal effectively with our own emotions, and those of others.

In the workplace, our emotional intelligence supply is critical to our success as leaders and managers, or our effectiveness as members of a team.

In fact, emotional intelligence determines how confident we are, how we handle daytoday interactions with others, and how we respond to conflict.

Despite being popularised by psychologist Daniel Goleman in the 1990s, decades later the concept of emotional intelligence has remained elusive to many.

It's still true that far too often those lacking even a modicum of emotional intelligence are completely in the dark over something that will almost certainly hold them back in both their working and personal lives.

Often misrepresented as a measure of someone's agreeableness, happiness, calmness or even optimism, confusion abounds when it comes to this powerful but seemingly inaccessible collective of important attributes.

That's where Amy Jacobson's Emotional Intelligence: A simple and actionable guide to increasing performance, engagement and ownership comes to the rescue.

This book takes the mystery out of the term through systematically unpacking the various layers of the concept's complexity and by providing practical ways to release our very own reservoir of emotional intelligence.

At the same time, Emotional Intelligence blasts away those unfortunate myths and misconceptions that have at times prevented all of us from sipping on what many workplace experts describe as an elixir of career success.

A warning though. This book will cause you to challenge your everyday behaviours even if you already consider yourself to be an emotionally intelligent person. By drawing you into a discussion on email communication, for example, you'll rapidly discover that much of your current ecommunication is in urgent need of an emotional intelligence makeover.

Emotional Intelligence belongs on everyone's bookshelf. You'll want to read it and come back to it for actionable advice every time that you encounter a situation in which you did not put your most emotionally intelligent foot forward.

Taking the time to read this book is bound to set you on an emotional intelligence rollercoaster learning curveone that will serve you well if you value the time you spend with family, friends and your work colleagues.

Professor Gary Martin FAIM FACE, Chief Executive Officer, The Australian Institute of Management in Western Australia

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From G A (Geoff) Stewart

I have come to understand how important emotional intelligence is for any individual, especially how it can help them become better people, better team members, better leaders and a better organisation.

When I met Amy, I quickly realised how adept she is in the field of EI: it's why I use her to facilitate sessions with my teams. Her ability to communicate this topic in front of people has definitely transcended into a book that will no doubt become a reference tool for those looking to make change.

The subtitle a simple and actionable guide is precisely what it is and the way she has laid it out through the use of plain speak and storytelling to reinforce her easytofollow steps ensures it is not daunting at all. In fact, while she lays out a challenge to you in doing something about your desire to grow, develop and constantly improve, you will feel she is there with you each step of the way. If you have been waiting for a reason to start, this is it.

G A (Geoff) Stewart APM, District Superintendent
South West District, Western Australia Police Force

Amy challenges and disrupts people's mindsets to own their performance and amplify engagement.

She is an emotional intelligence and human behaviour specialist with more than 19 years' experience in more than doubling engagement and market brand scores.

With her fascination with the human mind, neuroscience and neurolinguistic programming (NLP), Amy balances tough love and infectious energy to create purposedriven teams that get results!

Amy takes people out of their comfort zone with her approach, challenging their mindset and helping them bring ownership and purpose to every work day.

Amy is driven to break through the misconception of EI to see people reach their full potential, embrace their strengths and find their ultimate purpose.

Based in Perth, Australia, with an international reach, Amy is a media personality across television, radio and print. She delivers keynotes, EI programs, workshops and coaching across all industries, sectors and individuals.

As a wife to her supporting husband and best friend Mark, mother to two amazing children, Amelia and Koen, business owner of Finding Your y and cofounder and director of RISING QUEENS, Amy completely gets the challenge of balancing all of the roles in your life while still finding time to include yourself towards the top of the list.