Books Personal Intelligence: The Power of Personality and How It Shapes Our Lives  by John D. Mayer (Author)

"Personal Intelligence: The Power of Personality and How It Shapes Our Lives" by John D. Mayer, a co-developer of the emotional intelligence theory, introduces the concept of personal intelligence (PI). PI is defined as the capacity to understand and reason about personality—both one’s own and that of others. It encompasses self-awareness, self-knowledge, and the ability to navigate the personalities of those around us.

Mayer explains that people high in PI are able to anticipate their own desires and actions, predict others' behavior, and use this knowledge to motivate themselves and make better life decisions. They are open to their internal experiences, inquisitive about people, and willing to change themselves. The book integrates psychological research and real-life examples from athletes, detectives, and musicians to illustrate how personal intelligence manifests.

The theory highlights the cognitive processes involved in gathering information about personalities and constructing coherent understandings of oneself and others. Mayer distinguishes this from emotional and social intelligence by focusing on personality as the core and emphasizes that nurturing personal intelligence can lead to improved selfhood, sociability, and overall life contentment.