Daniel Goleman, a renowned psychologist and author, is joined by Susan David, a Harvard Medical School psychologist, and Andy Parks, a management professor. They explore the evolution of emotional intelligence from a neglected concept to a crucial leadership skill. Topics include the historical skepticism surrounding emotions in business, the contrast between EI and IQ, and the importance of emotional skills in fostering innovation. The guests advocate for integrating emotional intelligence training in workplaces for enhanced engagement and psychological safety.
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insights INSIGHT
Emotions in Early Management
In the early 20th century, businesses overlooked emotions, viewing workers as assets devoid of feelings.
This "feminization of emotions" marginalized soft skills and sheltered ineffective leaders focused on results.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Labor Movement and Emotions
Frederick Taylor's scientific management prioritized efficiency but neglected workers' psychological needs.
Elton Mayo's Hawthorne studies revealed that informal work groups, not just hard skills, influenced productivity.
insights INSIGHT
The Emergence of Social Intelligence
Edward Thorndike introduced "social intelligence" in 1920, recognizing its importance in leadership.
However, this concept wasn't systematically formulated until Salovey and Mayer's 1990 article on emotional intelligence.
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In 'Emotional Intelligence,' Daniel Goleman presents a compelling argument that emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for success, happiness, and virtue. Drawing on research in psychology and neuroscience, Goleman explains how EI, which includes self-awareness, self-discipline, and empathy, shapes our destiny. The book details five key skills of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, managing emotions, motivation, recognizing emotions in others, and social skills. Goleman shows how these skills can be nurtured and strengthened throughout adulthood, benefiting our health, relationships, and work performance[2][3][4].
Emotional Agility
Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life
Susan David, Ph.D
In 'Emotional Agility,' Susan David provides a roadmap for real behavioral change by teaching readers how to become more emotionally agile. Drawing on her extensive research, international consulting work, and personal experiences, David shares four key concepts that enable individuals to acknowledge uncomfortable emotions while detaching from them. This approach helps readers align their actions with their core values, leading to a life of growth and fulfillment. The book emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, clear-sightedness, and an open mind in navigating life’s twists and turns[1][2][5].
In the early 1990s, publishers told science journalist Daniel Goleman not to use the word “emotion” in a business book. The popular conception was that emotions had little role in the workplace. When HBR was founded in October 1922, the practice of management focused on workers’ physical productivity, not their feelings.
And while over the decades psychologists studied “social intelligence” and “emotional strength,” businesses cultivated the so-called hard skills that drove the bottom line. Until 1990, when psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer published their landmark journal article. It proposed “emotional intelligence” as the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions as well as those of others.
Daniel Goleman popularized the idea in his 1995 book, and companies came to hire for “EI” and teach it. It’s now widely seen as a key ingredient in engaged teams, empathetic leadership, and inclusive organizations. However, critics question whether emotional intelligence operates can be meaningfully measured and contend that it acts as a catchall term for personality traits and values.
4 Business Ideas That Changed the World is a special series from HBR IdeaCast. Each week, an HBR editor talks to world-class scholars and experts on the most influential ideas of HBR’s first 100 years, such as disruptive innovation, shareholder value, and scientific management.
Discussing emotional intelligence with HBR executive editor Alison Beard are:
Daniel Goleman, psychologist and author of Emotional Intelligence
Susan David, psychologist at Harvard Medical School and author of Emotional Agility
Andy Parks, management professor at Central Washington University
HBR IdeaCast 
