In recent years, Sebastien Henry - author, entrepreneur and executive coach - has emerged as one of the most influential voices on how to succeed in business in Asia Pacific. And by applying his own theories, his Progress U operation - with leadership coaches in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, New Delhi, and Bangkok - is thriving and delivering strong results across its vast domain.
Therefore, in EQ And Leadership in Asia, Henry knows his themes, from intimate and direct experience. This is no dry volume of self-evident platitudes - it's the real and revealing deal. Though his prose is somewhat stodgy, the lessons provided appear useful, well-reasoned and illuminating.
His focus is on the far-reaching impact of emotional quotient (EQ) - or intelligence - and how it can be leveraged in the Asian workplace and boardroom, while respecting the myriad cultural differences across the continent. In his pursuit of insights to motivate and advise some of the most senior executives in the region, it certainly helps that he speaks six languages, including Japanese and Putonghua.
Even though it's specifically written for leaders and senior managers, Henry's first book is also highly instructive for lesser mortals also trying to get ahead.
Indeed, it contains plenty of insights for working people from all walks of life, but for the executives in Asia, particularly those transplanted from the West, this is an almost indispensable work.
Sensibly structured into two sections - 'Understanding Emotional Intelligence In Asia' and 'Using Emotions As Allies In Practical Leadership Challenges', the 14 chapters deliver a wealth of road-tested knowledge on how to harness emotional intelligence, creativity, and intuition to enhance one's leadership skills.