pinky@home

This isn't one book I'd normally rate as "books I'd love to read" Well, that was true three weeks ago. I never thought "textbook" style of books could ever be so interesting. But, this one proved me wrong. I literally found myself taking it everywhere, so I could read what's next -- while driving, while eating dinner when I'm home alone, and even at the salon. When I did that, even the people around me knew I was stuck.

This book helps you through the maze of human relationships. It gives one a glimpse of the possible whys and hows of relating with people. Why this personality behaves the way it does, and how you should respond to it in a way that helps build relationships.

Daniel Goleman talks about the I-It type of people -- those who have the tendency to communicate in a way that doesn't seem to involve the other person, but as if it's all an It, and never a You. Those whose conversations seem to be all about them, and are never an interplay between two people. Reading the book, especially that part, made me want to be a better communicator. And to be that, I realize entails learning to be a good listener. Learning to attune to others and to empathize (not just sympathize) with them.

Social Intelligence is a must read, especially if you want to get better at relating with people. Word of caution though -- the author could sometimes get very technical when he talks about the brain, the amygdala, the right frontal, etc. It's like another world he unknowingly gets drawn to. Those words and terms still don't make a lot of sense to me, but I do know after reading the book, that I want to get better at relating with people -- no matter which side of my brain is working.