Reading Summary

This précis concerns the article titled“What makes a leader”, by Daniel Goleman. It was published in Harvard Business Review in January 2004. The main aim of this article is to explain essential qualifications to become a good leader. According to the author, the emotional intelligence distinguishes outstanding leaders. The article is divided into three parts: evaluating emotional intelligence; self-awareness and self-regulation; motivation, empathy and social skill.

In the first part of the article, Goleman states that the leader’s performance mainly attributes to emotional intelligence rather than cognitive abilities. He explains that emotional intelligence is twice as important as the others for leaders. In addition, Goleman provides some approaches to develop their emotional intelligence. Firstly, emotional intelligence increases with age. Secondly, leaders should focus on training their limbic system. Finally, the most important things are sincere desire and make great efforts.

In the second part, the writer explains internal qualifications of emotional intelligence. The first component of emotional intelligence at work is self-awareness. He goes on to explain that self-awareness extends to a person’s understanding of their values and goals. The second component of emotional intelligence is self-regulation. Goleman demonstrates that self-regulation is the ability to control disruptive moods. People who are self-regulation, is able to create a trust and fairness environment.

In the third section of the article, the writer explains the other three qualifications are motivation, empathy and social skill. Firstly, motivation is a driving force to work that not because of money or status. Goleman gives some features of people who are motivated should be strong force to achieve, and optimistic. Secondly, empathy is the ability to understand other people’s emotion and the skill to treating people regarding their emotional reactions. Thirdly, good social...