I have been reading the books backwards (newest to oldest).  Each holds some gems inside lots of fluff.  Goleman’s premise is emotional competencies (listening, empathy, etc.) form a separate category of intelligence.  I can agree with that.  Unfortunately, this has become a business franchise for him, so I think he takes it too far.  He asserts it is THE defining intelligence of star performers.  I can agree they are neglected, and are of prime importance to leaders.  However, in light of Marcus Buckingham’s books, I think that Goleman is trying to fit all the characteristics of star performers into an emotional intelligence frame work.  To a significant degree that is putting square pegs into a round hole.  The thesis is easy to swallow at first, as the book is written in the standard business best-seller sensational journalist format.  This contrasts with Buckingham; he writes in a pragmatic, self-help format.  That said, we have a lot of work to do on our emotional intelligence.  I would recommend reading Primal Leadership of the three as it discusses the types of leadership problems I have seen at work over, and over again.