There’s a Bob at every party. Someone convinced he’s a master of emotional intelligence, but blind to his own blind spots. The real irony? The more certain we are of our emotional savvy, the more likely we’re missing the mark. After years as a psychologist, I’ve learned that true emotional wisdom is quiet, humble, and always curious. The moment we start explaining our EQ to others is the moment we’ve become Bob ourselves.

In our hyper-competitive world, career advice often champions the relentless pursuit of personal advancement. We’re urged to chase our ambitions, sometimes at the expense of those around us, under the banner of progress. This narrative elevates personal success above all, nudging many towards self-centered decisions. Self-help literature and the archetypal hero's journey further reinforce this individualistic approach, framing personal triumph as the ultimate goal. But what if I told you that science offers a different perspective?