The intellect cannot work at its best without emotional intelligence. What we want, Goleman asserts, is a balance of the two. The new paradigm urges us to harmonize head and heart. To do that well we must first understand what it means to use emotion intelligently. And while there are those who argue IQ can't be changed much, research shows that crucial emotional competencies can be learned and improved upon.
Academic intelligence offers virtually no preparation for the turmoil or opportunities life brings.
Goleman sees emotional aptitude as a meta-ability determining how well we use whatever other skills we have, including raw intellect. People who cannot marshal some control over their emotional life fight inner battles that sabotage their ability for focused work and clear thought. Goleman is of like mind with Childre and Pearce in recognizing that the emotional brain can overpower, even paralyze, the thinking brain. Students who are angry, depressed, or anxious cannot take in information efficiently or deal with it well. Good moods enhance the ability to think flexibly and with more complexity, making it easier to find solutions to problems, intellectual or personal.