Kassouf & Co. presented at last night's Beta Alpha Psi meeting about Emotional Intelligence (AKA, your "EQ"), and Managing Director Jerry Callahan provided great advice. Among this advice was to read three specific books to enhance understanding of the topic.

Happy spring break reading, everyone!

The Noticer by Andy Andrews* - Orange Beach, Alabama, is a simple town filled with simple people. But like all humans on the planet, the good folks of Orange Beach have their share of problems - marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, as well as the many other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses. Fortunately, when things look the darkest - a mysterious man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. An elderly man with white hair, of indiscriminate age and race, wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and leather flip flops carrying a battered old suitcase, Jones is a unique soul. Communicating what he calls "a little perspective," Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss. "Your time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely," he says. "Don't squander your words or your thoughts. Consider even the simplest action you take, for your lives matter beyond measure and they matter forever." Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what we can do about it.

*Fun Fact: this author is an AU alum and native Alabamian!

True Professionalism by David Maister - Professional firms are forever trying to get their people to act like professionals—to do the right things. Though their various incentives may create employee compliance, these don't often encourage excellence. His answer is clear: It is believing passionately in what you do, never compromising your standards and values, and caring about your clients, your people and your own career. In clear and compelling terms, Maister shows that this approach is not only ethical but also conducive to commercial success.

UNEQUALED by James Runde - UNEQUALED is the client service professional's guide to getting ahead and achieving professional goals. You're smart and hard working, but guess what—so is everyone else. So how do you stand out? You need to distinguish yourself in order to get ahead, but simply being good at your job is not enough. Moving up is about soft skills, networking, client connections, emotional intelligence, and your personal reputation. This book is a frank and candid guide to what it really takes to succeed in the field, packed with insights, stories, and actionable tips based on the author's 40 years at Morgan Stanley. You'll learn how to lead, when to follow, and how to build the reputation you need to get ahead in a competitive field.