Primal Leadership
by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee
The emotional dimension of leadership: resonant versus dissonant leaders, six leadership styles (visionary, coaching, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting, commanding) and when each works, and a model for developing emotional intelligence through intentional change. It is the most useful EI book for people who lead.
Read it if…
you lead and want to understand which style you default to and when to switch.
Skip it if…
you lead no one; the material is leadership-specific.
Three things you will actually use
- Mood travels downhill; yours sets the team's.
- Use the right style for the situation, not your favorite.
- Pacesetting and commanding damage if overused.
Do this first
Identify your default style from the six and choose a situation this week that calls for a different one.
Our verdict
Useful and well-structured.
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