Emotional Intelligence. Feelings carry information.

Emotional intelligence is three skills in order. First, notice what you feel. Second, name it with precision ("frustrated" is not the same as "angry"). Third, choose what to do with it. Most people skip the second step. Without a name, the feeling controls the response instead of informing it.

• Daniel Goleman's research found that emotional intelligence predicts success at work better than IQ.
• The next time you feel a strong emotion, pause and name it before you act. The pause changes the outcome.