Customer Reviews

Social Intelligence: The New Science of Success

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a very good book, but is not likely to be received well by the average reader. The book jumps from fun and sometimes goofy acrostics to very in-depth psychological information without good transitions.

If you have read books like Influence by Cialdini and How to Get Anyone to Do Anything by Lieberman, then you will like this book because it is like a combination of these resources. If you like academic books only, or light books only, this book will not work for you because it jumps back-and-forth between the two styles.

I hope this, in addition to the other reviews here, will help you make your decision.

Through illustrative stories and lots of useful acronyms, author Karl Albrecht offers essential skill-building techniques to enhance your "social intelligence." Improve your strategic insight into patterns of social interaction, political acumen and connections with others by developing your people skills. We highly recommend this book to leaders who want to learn how to build a climate of cooperation rather than of conflict.

Dr Karl Albrecht's new book is a welcome contribution to the field of human relationships. In a world where our relationships are under threat via increasing time pressures and new technologies Albrecht provides a way to think about relationship building and a compelling argument why it is worth the effort to do so.

The concept of multiple intelligences has become somewhat confusing in recent times and dominated by discussion around Emotional Intelligence. Albrecht's work brings some clarity to that debate by clearly describing the distinctions between Emotional and Social Intelligence.

Perhaps most helpfully he outlines a clear framework for how people might think about and more purposefully grow their own social intelligence. Albrecht's S.P.A.C.E. model - (S for Situational Radar; P for Presence A for Authenticity; C for Clarity and E for Empathy) is a useful way to classify key behaviours and skills that contribute to the socially intelligent person.

Once the model has been clearly described the author outlines a number of critical application areas: Social Intelligence in the World of Work; Social Intelligence and Leadership; Social Intelligence and Conflict. His final chapter is a penetrating, hard hitting analysis of modern American society and the things within it that erode relationship quality. Many of these comments, I believe, apply to my country as well.

While based on sound scholarship and a large amount of experience in the business world it is written in a warm and entertaining style. I especially appreciated Dr Albrecht's international perspective and the way that he uses examples and anecdotes from all over the world.

Books about relationships and communication abound but this contribution brings fresh
insights and practical ideas. Definitely worth exploring.
John Campbell
Sydney, Australia

As a book critic for the rest of us, I'd like to offer my two cents, after reading Dr. Albrecht's book and thoroughly enjoying the experience of reading it, and the insight it offers.

Engaging - this book isn't a textbook; it is fabulously engaging, laced with humor and colorful examples and therefore kept me thoroughly entertained throughout. Dr. Albrecht's sense of humor alone made this book a fabulous read.

Practical - you can apply elements of this book to everything, and the examples throughout illustrate how powerful social intelligence is in out daily lives.

Insightful - this book should come with a money back guarantee, because like many things with great guarantees, you just won't need it. Like I said, I was skeptical, given the mixed reviews, at first. But about 10 pages in, I realized that there was no way my professional and personal lives couldn't benefit from the insight of this book. Dr. Albrecht's significant experience in training the world's leaders to find success is absolutely clear, as one reads through this book.

I sincerely hope that this review helped you in making your decision. My best to all.

Karl Albrecht is probably the smartest man I know. Combine intelligence with powers of keen observation and common sense and you get an author whose writing can strongly influence your life in positive ways.

For example, now I do not speed up when someone attempts to overtake me on the highway and I know why I get uncomfortable when someone stands too close when chatting with me.

I particularly enjoyed the sections on Empathy and Authenticity.

The book is an easy read and full of insights and expressions that put you in a better mood for having read it.

This book starts out with some very useful insights and great clarity on the foundations of intelligence. The author uses helpful acronyms to support your review of social intelligence. Acronyms may sound trite but look for the underlying message. The second half of the book becomes very light and the epilogue is nothing but pure social editorial. I'm glad I read it and came away with some useful lessons. A good starter or introduction to social intelligence.

This book has arrived at exactly the right time. We're in danger
of losing the last vestiges of civility, consideration for one another, and mutual respect that have made our culture what it is. With the unprecedented sense of discord, animosity, cynicism, pessimism, and strident adversarial behavior that dominates the popular media environment - and, increasingly, the day to day inter-actions between people - we need a new voice of sanity. Karl Albrecht has given us a new vision and plan for living together intelligently and considerately. Now we have to own and apply these timeless ideas, choices and ways of relating. Not only does social intelligence, applied, reduce the unhealthy stresses of daily life, but increases our effectiveness in our homes and at work. Research from respected medical research provides us with hard proof of the values of harmony in relationships and civil dialogue for good health and well-being.

I own this inspiring handbook for success. I recommended to my 25-year-old entrepreneur grandson. His enthusiasm for Dr. Albrecht's ideas in the book motivated him to recommend it to his ambitious contemporaries.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes___ No____

A good read. I found this book chock-full of interesting ideas, suggestions, examples, and insights about social intelligence. The author has strong credentials and comes at the subject with a discipline and clarity which I found helpful. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading Social Intelligence.

Karl Albrecht has once again produced a very user friendly book about an important subject.Drawing on insight, vast experience and humour, he introduces you to the concepts of social intelligence in an enjoyable and easily understandable way.His many stories invite you to enjoy while learning and reflecting.
Olav Ofstad

This is the very first book that takes Professor Howard Gardner's
concept of multiple intelligences and begins to build out the
interpersonal dimension, i.e. social intelligence, in a practical way.
It's clear, concise, comprehensive, and eminently understandable. Now
that Albrecht has broken ground on this important dimension of human
competence, there will surely be others - imitators, improvers, and
extenders. But Social Intelligence will be hard to surpass. It's an
excellent piece of work.