6 Outstanding Books on Emotional Intelligence That Could Change The World

This third part in a series of posts was inspired by a recent Back-To-School night at our Six Seconds lab school, Synapse, after the father of a kindergartener requested a list of books I would recommend reading.

I dithered when he asked and then said, “Okay, I can do that.”  After some thought, I identified six enduring life lessons for creating change, six adult books that detailed these ideas, and paired them with six children’s picture books. I believe it is vastly important to grasp these notions if we want to successfully create change in our society and reading books can help us do this tremendously well. Plus, everyone loves a good, new book, don’t they? 🙂

In the first post, 6 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Change The World, I outlined the six key concepts to becoming a change maker. In the second post, 6 Children’s Storybooks Every Emotionally Intelligent Adult Should Read, I correlated each of these key concepts with a picture storybook – books both children and adults can read – that demonstrate each concept using a children’s story.

In this third post, I have gathered adult books that pair with the children’s books to go into more detail about each fundamental tenet of creating change.

So within this post you have six of my favorite books accompanied by a picture book to be shared with the children in your life — and correlated with the six key concepts that I believe are critical for success at home, at work, and at play.

This is a fabulous list of books you should read. Put them at the top of your ‘To Read’ pile, buy them using those unused Barnes and Noble giftcards, order them from the library. If you read no other books this year, read these. 🙂

Key Concept #1:  Only change yourself

Only change yourself. Change comes from within; it requires respect for self and others.

Adult: Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip & Dan Heath

Child: Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

Key Concept #2: Don’t assume; ask

Don’t assume; ask. Don’t ever assume what the “other person” needs or wants.  Try asking.

Adult: The Empathy Factor: Your Competitive Advantage for Personal, Team and Business Success by Marie Miyashiro

Child: Just Grace by Charise Mericle

Key Concept #3:  Take risks

Take risks; be willing to fail, but never give up.

Adult: The Optimistic Child by Martin Seligman

Child: Beautiful Oops by Barney Salzberg

Key Concept #4:  Wait before deciding

Wait before deciding. Waiting improves thinking; become a “delay specialist.”

Adult: Wait: The Art and Science of Delay by Frank Partnoy

Child: Waiting For Wings by Lois Ehlert

Key Concept #5: Know that hard work and character triumph over high-test scores

Genes are not a blueprint that predicts greatness for some and doom for the rest of us.  Stimulus is what counts.

Adult: The Genius In All Of Us: New Insights Into Genetics, Talent and IQ by David Shenk

Child: Weslandia by Paul Fleishman

Key Concept #6:  Friends are more important for long life and happiness than any other element

The higher both the quantity and quality of your relationships, the longer you will live.

Adult: Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child by John Medina

Child: Don’t Need Friends by Carol Crimi

Do you have any books you’d like to recommend to those seeking to change their world? Tell us in the comments!

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