Shaping an Emotionally Intelligent Future

In 1995, I was a science journalist covering psychology and related fields for the New York Times. I wanted to explore the rich trove of research on emotions and the brain, which I had written about in small bits and pieces over the years for the Times. I felt the topic deserved to be a book, and so Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ came to be.

To my surprise, the book ended up being hugely successful. I got so many requests to lecture that I had less and less time for writing in the Times. I finally left the paper to devote my efforts to the message of the book.

Just as my model of emotional intelligence (EI) has evolved over the years—it originally included motivation as its own domain—so too has the role of EI in society. The ability to understand and manage our own emotions as well as our relationships will always be important. But in our rapidly changing world, powered by technology and digital connections, EI has become more vital than ever before. 

Emotional Intelligence for the Future

We can use technology as a force for good. It enables us to advocate for causes we care about and connect with people who differ greatly from ourselves. But technology also requires new adaptations and strategies to ensure we keep the "human" element in the digital age. That’s why I’m partnering with the World Economic Forum and DQ Institute on their Digital Intelligence Day. Emotional intelligence is one of the crucial skills of digital literacy.

EI competencies including self-awareness, empathy, teamwork, influence, and inspirational leadership differentiate humans from the abilities of artificial intelligence (AI). Harvard Business Review recommends that we invest in EI development to prepare for the future of work; to tackle global challenges we need emotionally intelligent leaders. Even now, EI distinguishes top performers above and beyond IQ and technical skills.

To truly develop our EI, intellectual learning—such as reading books and watching videos—is not enough. We need to practice the skills of emotional intelligence and receive feedback. Just like learning a new language or playing a sport.

I’m often asked when I will offer coaching and development programs based on my work. Over the past two years, I’ve partnered with the experts at Key Step Media (KSM) to incubate coaching and training programs in emotional intelligence. KSM enabled Goleman EI to develop and design EI courses. Goleman EI then delivered them to the first two cohorts of the Goleman Emotional Intelligence Coaching Certification (EICC) program as well as coaching clients and organizations.

Thanks to the contributions of countless team members, participants, and expert coaches, these training programs have been a resounding success. Joris Hekelaar, Senior Principal at Accenture’s Leadership & Coaching Center of Excellence, said that, “EI is the essential driver for culture transformation, and the EICC helps you to deliver just that.” 

Bri Flynn Witthuhn, Enterprise Manager of Coaching at John Deere, shared that, “The EICC program is innovative in its use of research-based content and truly gets to the heart of sustainable behavior change.”

Now that the existing training programs have gained momentum, I am pleased to announce the launch of Goleman EI as the vehicle for these transformational programs. Goleman EI has become a natural evolution of my mission to make emotional intelligence education available to all.

In that endeavor, it’s an honor to introduce Michele Nevarez. Michele brings decades of experience as a leader in Human Resources and Executive Coaching. Michele will take on the role of CEO of Goleman EI. I’m confident that she will effectively guide the organization and deepen our commitment to this mission.

Along with the Goleman EI team, we have developed a suite of coaching and training programs in emotional intelligence that enable individuals and organizations to create lasting and meaningful change.

The Goleman EI Approach

We believe that EI is the foundation of a better world. With our research-based tools, individuals and organizations can empower lasting, positive change and cultivate their well-being.

Above all, I want to make EI accessible to everyone. That’s why the Goleman EI team has developed offerings that range from online courses, to one-on-one EI coaching, to a graduate-level EI Coaching Certification with built-in career opportunities.

Each of our trainings, courses, and programs help you create a positive habit change by incorporating three key components:

• Learn: Practical explanations and examples of EI in the form of a short article or video.
• Practice: An immediate application of what you just learned.
• Reflect: At the end of each day, you reflect on how the practice went and share your insights and questions with your learning group and/or your coach. 

While our entire suite of offering incorporate this model—making them scalable for organizations—they range in their depth, time-commitment, and price point. The Goleman EI team is currently building an interactive app-based course to further my mission of democratizing EI by ensuring that everyone has financial access to these tools.

I hope you’ll explore our new website, golemanei.com, including our online EI courses and 2020 Coaching Certification Programs. We welcome you to join our growing, worldwide movement around emotional intelligence. This is a community that’s committed to making positive change in the world.