Focus: the Hidden Driver of Excellence | Daniel Goleman | Talks at Google

Summary

In this enlightening talk, Meng Tan introduces Daniel Goleman, a renowned author and expert on emotional intelligence, who has significantly influenced Meng's own path to authorship. Goleman discusses his book, 'Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence,' emphasizing the crucial role of attention in achieving personal and professional success. He explores the concept of cognitive control, its impact from childhood through adulthood, and its significance in leadership. Goleman also addresses the challenges of ADD, the importance of empathy in leadership, and the necessity for systemic awareness to confront global issues. This talk not only highlights Goleman's contributions to understanding emotional intelligence but also underscores the pivotal role of focus in fostering excellence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Daniel Goleman is an expert on emotional intelligence and attention, having written many popular books on these topics
• 😮 Our attention is constantly being seduced and threatened, making it harder to voluntarily direct our focus
• 🧠 Attention creates the conditions for personal excellence and is the foundation for higher cognitive abilities
• 😥 When we are 'frazzled', our amygdala hijacks our attention towards whatever is upsetting us
• 🙏 Meditation strengthens our ability to voluntarily direct attention and enhances cognitive control
• 😊 Being in 'flow state' aligns our skills, engagement, and ethics, allowing peak performance
• 👶 Boosting cognitive control in children improves their ability to learn and predicts better life outcomes
• 😢 Our industrial systems are degrading the natural systems that support life, but we lack the perception to notice
• 🌍 We need more transparency, better industrial design, and systems thinking to address global environmental issues
• 🤔 Leaders need inner focus, empathy, and systems awareness to help organizations operate responsibly

Q & A

What is the significance of 'Search Inside Yourself' program mentioned by Meng Tan?

The 'Search Inside Yourself' program, co-created by Meng Tan and Daniel Goleman, is a popular curriculum developed at Google to enhance emotional intelligence through mindfulness, self-awareness, and attention training.

How does Daniel Goleman describe the importance of attention in his new book 'Focus'?

Daniel Goleman emphasizes that skillfulness over attention is fundamental for higher cognitive and emotional abilities. He argues that attention creates the conditions for personal excellence and is essential for effective leadership and decision-making.

What are the three types of focus that Goleman identifies as crucial for leadership?

Goleman identifies inner focus (self-awareness and self-management), other focus (empathy and understanding others), and outer focus (systems awareness and understanding broader contexts) as essential for effective leadership.

What is the 'floor effect' that Goleman discusses, and why is it significant?

The 'floor effect' occurs in environments where a high premium is placed on IQ, such as Google or Ivy League colleges. It suggests that once you select people for high IQ, factors other than IQ, particularly emotional intelligence, become more critical for defining excellence.

Can you explain the concept of cognitive control and its importance according to Goleman?

Cognitive control, as described by Goleman, refers to the ability to maintain focus, resist distractions, and persist in goal-oriented activities. It's crucial for learning, effective performance, and self-regulation, significantly influencing long-term success.

How does Goleman relate cognitive control to children's future success?

Goleman mentions a study demonstrating that children's level of cognitive control predicts their financial success and health better than their IQ or family's socioeconomic status, emphasizing the importance of developing this skill early.

What does Goleman suggest as methods to enhance cognitive control?

Goleman suggests various methods including mindfulness practices, attention training exercises like the 'breathing buddies' technique, and structured activities that promote sustained focus and impulse control.

What is the relationship between focus and creativity, as discussed by Goleman?

Goleman explains that while focused attention is essential for gathering information and trying out solutions, letting the mind wander or daydream can foster creative insights by connecting disparate ideas in novel ways.

What are the three kinds of empathy Goleman describes?

Goleman describes three kinds of empathy: cognitive empathy (understanding how others think), emotional empathy (feeling what others feel), and empathic concern (willingness to help others in need).

How does Goleman view the role of systems awareness in addressing global challenges?

Goleman advocates for systems awareness as a critical component of focus, emphasizing its role in understanding and addressing complex, interrelated problems like environmental degradation and sustainability.