Photo: Supplied by Penguin
Achieving a flow state at work is rare, temporary and unclear as to how to achieve it. But flow isn't necessary for a good day at work, according to American psychologist and author Daniel Goleman.
He makes the case that hitting a tier below that - what he calls our optimal state - is much more sustainable and there are clear pathways to achieving it. Daniel is known for making emotional intelligence popular after his internationally best selling book on the subject came out in the 1990s.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise and label your emotions - and make choices before reacting to them. In his latest book Optimal written with Cary Churniss - the director of the educational psychology programme at Rutgers University - Daniel outlines ways to manage your emotions to perform better at work. Dan and Cary make the case that emotional intelligence is a much better indicator of better performance in the workplace, rather than their IQ or what marks they achieved in school.
Susie talks to Daniel about the tools needed to achieve emotional intelligence and have a better day at work.
