Book Review: “Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life” by Susan David

Too often, women professionals are made to feel like we must hide our emotions and wear a permanent poker face in order to thrive in the working world. However, the emotions we feel are perfectly natural and incredibly informative. That’s right, the emotions you may have thought were holding you back can actually help you achieve success!

That is the concept behind Susan David’s book, ‘Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life.’ Susan David, a renowned psychologist and expert in the field of emotional intelligence, offers valuable insights and practical strategies to help you navigate the intricacies of your inner world. David has a remarkable ability to present complex psychological research in an easily digestible way, enabling you to learn how to process and utilize your emotions to propel you forward. The central skill that everything revolves around is ‘Emotional Agility.’

Emotional Agility involves accepting and embracing all emotions, even the ones we’d rather avoid or those that seem to hold us back. By developing the ability to observe and label our emotions without judgment, we can begin to understand their underlying causes and respond more constructively.

If your typical response to uncomfortable emotions is to ignore them or ruminate on them, or if you feel like your emotions control your everyday life, this book is a true game-changer. With practical exercises and actionable steps, David encourages you to cultivate self-awareness, adaptability, and empathy while giving yourself the grace to build resilience.

Emotions are natural, and you can’t eliminate them, so a better approach is to learn to use them to your advantage! ‘Emotional Agility’ is an empowering read that encourages you to embrace your emotions in a new way to make an impact on yourself and the world around you. Susan David’s insightful guidance, supported by scientific research, equips you with a roadmap to navigate life’s rollercoaster of emotional challenges and become more authentic in your personal and professional life. When you learn to sit with, live with, and utilize the power of everything you feel, you will experience greater health, confidence, and fulfillment in your everyday life.

David’s expertise and compassion make this book an invaluable resource for professionals looking to thrive in an increasingly complex world. By embracing emotional agility, you can develop a deeper connection with yourself and others, fostering greater well-being and personal growth.