Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves Summary

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 provides a step-by-step guide to improving emotional intelligence (EQ) through four core skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. It includes 66 actionable strategies and an online Emotional Intelligence Appraisal Test to measure progress. Backed by neuroscience, the book helps readers harness EQ to enhance personal and professional success.

This book is ideal for professionals, leaders, and anyone seeking to improve interpersonal skills, manage stress, or build stronger relationships. It’s particularly valuable for teams, managers, and individuals in high-pressure environments aiming to boost performance and communication.

Yes. Praised by the Dalai Lama and Newsweek, the book combines research-backed insights with practical tools like the EQ test and mindfulness-based strategies. Its concise, actionable advice makes it a top resource for personal development and workplace success.

The four skills are:

• Self-awareness: Recognizing emotions and their impact.
• Self-management: Controlling impulsive reactions.
• Social awareness: Understanding others’ emotions.
• Relationship management: Building trust and resolving conflict.
  Each skill is supported by strategies like journaling, mindfulness, and feedback-seeking.

The test (included with the book) evaluates your EQ across the four core skills. After receiving personalized results, you create an action plan using the 66 strategies. Regular practice builds neural pathways to reinforce new behaviors, with progress measurable through retesting.

Absolutely. EQ accounts for 58% of job performance, and the book’s strategies improve teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. TalentSmartEQ, the authors’ firm, has helped Fortune 500 companies implement these methods to enhance productivity and culture.

Key strategies include:

• Quit labeling emotions as “good” or “bad.”
• Observe how emotions affect others (the ripple effect).
• Keep an emotion journal.
• Seek feedback to identify blind spots.

While Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence established EQ’s foundational theories, Bradberry and Greaves focus on actionable steps, like the 66 strategies and self-assessment tools. Both emphasize EQ’s impact on success, but EI 2.0 prioritizes practicality over theory.

Some readers desire more diverse real-world examples or deeper exploration of cultural influences on EQ. Others note the 2025 release of The New Emotional Intelligence (with 60 updated strategies) may address evolving workplace dynamics.

Dr. Travis Bradberry (award-winning author) and Dr. Jean Greaves co-founded TalentSmartEQ, a leader in EQ training. Bradberry’s work is cited in Forbes and Harvard Business Review, and their methods are used by 75% of Fortune 500 companies.

The book teaches techniques like active listening, empathy-building, and conflict resolution. Strategies include “Lean into discomfort” to address tough conversations and “Spot emotions in media” to better understand others’ perspectives.

Yes. The 66 strategies include exercises like physicalizing emotions, identifying emotional triggers, and role-playing social scenarios. The companion EQ test and action plans ensure tailored, measurable growth.