If you wanted to print something on the cover of a business book to spur sales, an endorsement by Lee Iacocca would be tough to improve upon.
That’s an option available to Harvey Deutschendorf, after Iacocca — the former CEO of Chrysler Corporation who is credited with the auto giant’s revival in the 1980s — commented favourably on Deutschendorf’s book, The Other Kind of Smart — Simple Ways to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence for Greater Personal Empowerment and Success.
“An easy to read, interesting book that uses everyday stories and simple exercises to show us how to make the most of emotional intelligence in our workplaces and homes,” Iacocca wrote.
Deutschendorf, who lives in Edmonton but made Red Deer his home from 1974 to 1979, said the reference came too late for the first printing of his book in May.
But it’ll be displayed prominently after the next press run — likely replacing the positive comments of Robin Sharma, author of international bestsellers The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and The Saint, The Surfer and the CEO.
Deutschendorf’s book has also attracted endorsements from Brian Tracy (Focal Point), Marianne Williamson (Enchanted Love: The Mystical Power of Intimate Relationships), John Gray (Men Are from Mars, Women Are From Venus) and Jim Clemmer (Growing the Distance and The Leader’s Digest).
Published by the American Management Association of New York, The Other Kind of Smart describes and offers advice on how to improve your emotional intelligence.
“Emotional intelligence is a number of different traits that basically determine how well we recognize, understand and manage our emotions,” explained Deutschendorf.
“Our emotions can either be our allies or they can work against us.”
That can go a long way to determining the success of a person’s business and personal lives.
People often struggle or achieve great things regardless of their intelligence quotient, observed Deutschendorf, adding that studies have shown that emotional intelligence is a better determinant of success.
“If you go to any high school reunion you’ll find there are surprises about people who didn’t exactly shine in school who have done quite well, and the honour students who basically didn’t go too far.”
Many businesses now recognize the importance of emotional intelligence and consider it when hiring and training employees, said Deutschendorf.
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a leadership program that doesn’t have an emotional intelligence component in it.”
Originally from Warburg, west of Leduc, Deutschendorf attended Red Deer college from 1976 to 1978.
He currently works for Alberta Employment and Immigration in Edmonton as a training and event co-ordinator.
He became interested in emotional intelligence in the early 1990s, and now coaches and does presentations on the subject.
The decision to write a book came after Deutschendorf realized that most publications about emotional intelligence were technical and academic.
He wanted to produce something the general public could relate to and learn from.
Although The Other Kind of Smart is selling mainly in the United States, it is available in Canada at Chapters Bookstore and through online retailers.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com