“How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character,” by Paul Tough, a former editor at New York Times Magazine, focuses on the crucial differences that determine children’s academic success.
While cognitive skills, the kind of intelligence that IQ tests measure, are definitely important, success requires that they be matched with emotional skills such as the ability to stay focused and to control impulses.
Personality traits such as persistence, self-confidence, and emotional self-regulation are just as important as IQ in achieving success in life. Put another way, character matters.
The good news is that emotional intelligence can be learned, the bad news is that we are not teaching or testing for it.
Closing quote:
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”