Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence

Unlock the Hidden Power of Attention for Peak Performance

Daniel Goleman

2013

8 Key Insights

About This Book

Imagine effortlessly tuning out distractions in a crowded coffee shop, sensing your own intuition as clearly as a seasoned guide, and connecting instantly with everyone around you. In Focus you’ll discover how the brain’s attention systems—inner, other, and outer—drive every success, from mastering a skill to leading a team through chaos. Packed with cutting-edge neuroscience, vivid real-world stories, and simple mental workouts, this book reveals how to sharpen your focus muscle, balance mind wandering and mindfulness, and harness your attention to transform your life and work.

About the Author

Daniel Goleman holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard and has written six New York Times bestsellers on emotional and social intelligence. A two-time Academy Award nominee for his science journalism at the New York Times, he advises leaders, schools, and NGOs worldwide on applying the latest brain research to everyday challenges. His work bridges cutting-edge neuroscience with practical tools that empower more mindful, connected, and effective lives.

Biggest Takeaway

By reading Focus you will learn to: 1. Quiet the inner chatter to solve problems with crystal clarity. 2. Strengthen willpower and resist temptations that derail your goals. 3. Read others’ emotions and intentions with unerring accuracy. 4. Navigate complex systems by spotting patterns and anticipating change. 5. Cultivate mindful calm to sustain peak performance under stress. 6. Lead with a triple focus on self, others, and the big picture to inspire teams.