Quotes from Travis Bradberry

Listening and observing are the most important elements of social awareness. To listen well and observe what's going on around us, we have to stop doing many things we like to do. We have to stop talking, stop the monologue that may be running through our minds, stop anticipating the point the other person is about to make, and stop thinking ahead to what we are going to say next.

people with the highest levels of intelligence (IQ) outperform those with average IQs just 20% percent of the time, while people with average IQs outperform those with high IQs 70% percent of the time.

Listening to music, reading novels, watching films, and even looking at art can act as a gateway into your deepest emotions.

What Self-Awareness Looks Like Dave T., regional service manager Self-awareness score = 95* What people who work with him say: "Dave has clear long-term goals, and he doesn't make sacrifices for short-term gains.

What a Lack of Self-Awareness Looks Like Tina J., marketing manager Self-awareness score = 69 What people who work with her say: "On occasion, Tina's stress and sense of urgency are projected/pushed on to other people.

What Self-Management Looks Like Lane L., healthcare administrator Self-management score = 93 What people who work with her say: "Lane is the epitome of patience and understanding during heated, emotionally-charged meetings.

What a Lack of Self-Management Looks Like Jason L., information technology consultant Self-management score = 59 What people who work with him say: "In stressful situations, or when something goes wrong, Jason sometimes responds too quickly, sharply, or disjointedly.

People who manage relationships well are able to see the benefit of connecting with many different people, even those they are not fond of.

The difference between an interaction and a relationship is a matter of frequency.

Conflicts at work tend to fester when people passively avoid problems, because people lack the skills needed to initiate a direct, yet constructive conversation

It takes practice to really watch people as you interact with them and get a good sense of what they are thinking and feeling.

She's so focused and driven to personally succeed that perhaps she takes on too much herself

1.  Start with agreement. If you know you are likely to end up in a disagreement, start your discussion with the common ground you share.

Many people describe the sensation as one of entering a calmer, more relaxed state where they have a clear head. This makes breathing right one of the simplest yet most powerful techniques that you have at your disposal to manage your emotions.

you can send a 360-degree survey that asks you and other people questions about your self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management skills. The result is a complete picture of your own and others' perceptions. Believe it or not, what others say about you is usually more accurate than what you think about yourself.

Much of self-management comes down to motivation, and you can use the expectations that other people have of you as a powerful force to get you up off the proverbial couch.

For example, if people think you are passive in meetings when you simply need time to think before speaking, their perceptions begin to shape what opportunities are offered to you. Soon your boss is passing you over for chairing a committee because you are perceived as passive instead of thoughtful.

Emotions are contagious, meaning they spread from one or two people until there's a palpable and collective mood that you will feel at some level.

People often cover their mouths when lying. A hand on the mouth or even a touch of the lips shows you that they are lying because this unconscious body language represents a closing off of communication.

There is a time in the life of every predicament where it is ripe for resolution. Emotions provide the cue to act when a problem is big enough to see, yet still small enough to solve. By understanding your emotions, you can move adeptly through your current challenges and prevent future ones.

When influential people speak, conversations spread like ripples in a pond. And those ripples are multidirectional; influencers inspire everyone around them to explore new ideas and think differently about their work.

The next time you need to win someone over to your way of thinking, try nodding your head as you speak. People unconsciously mirror the body language of those around them in order to better understand what other people are feeling.

Negative emotions will challenge your grit every step of the way. While it's impossible not to feel your emotions, it's completely under your power to manage them effectively and to keep yourself in a position of control. When you let your emotions overtake your ability to think clearly, it's easy to lose your resolve.

Most hiring managers interview a lot of people. So many that they generally have to go back to their notes to remember candidates - the exception being candidates with a strong hook. Sometimes these hooks are how people dress or their personality, but the best hook is a strong story that's work-related.