Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. My name is Dick (Richard) Contino and I am an attorney / businessman, specializing primarily in the finance area. I founded and co-founded a number of businesses as well as joint ventures with major companies, and currently I am the CEO of a relatively new business that sets up finance companies for equipment manufacturers, the Managing Director of a specialized investment banking company and the founder and managing partner of an equipment leasing specialized law firm.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Emotional Intelligence at Work”?
A2. I was writing about an aspect of the business process that is generally not recognized as existing, and a topic rarely addressed in business schools or in life in general. Most people are indoctrinated by their parents, teachers, mentors and society in general to believe emotional issues do not belong in the business process and therefore we are lead to believe do not exist in business. So, in writing about emotional issues in business, I needed to identify examples that the reader could relate to notwithstanding what they believe.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. Initially I was most influenced by business self-help books and books on psychology; that is, until I actually began my own businesses and encountered issue after issue that seemed to block progress. And the more I encountered business challenges, the more I realized that business self-help books in the market did not address how to really overcome the hurdles and negativity resulting from progress roadblocks. So, I found that the many suggestions offer by business self-help books, although theoretically appealing, did not in fact solve challenges I faced almost on a weekly basis. And as I became more aware of my feelings in the business process I realized that what I have been taught, emotions are not a part of the business process, was not in act the case and that there was a lack of books that effectively addressed how to succeed/prosper in business and address the underlying feelings and emotions that we are rarely aware of and that dictate how we progress or do not progress in the business environment.
Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. The Outer Banks water community in North Carolina, USA—hands down. Spending time by the water provides the ultimate relaxation time.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Emotional Intelligence at Work’?
A5. As I progressed in various startup businesses and consulted for other businesses where management struggling to progress, I began to see not only where my unconscious emotional roadblocks were but where they existed in others. And how the unconscious roadblocks either slowed progress down or completely blocked it. And this reinforced my emerging belief that society’s well-meaning cultural and socialized beliefs imposed on each of us as we grew up were clearly a self-limiting issue.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Emotional Intelligence at Work’?
A6. I spent 8 months, part time, 2 to 3 early mornings hours per day, every week.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Amazon
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Emotional Intelligence at Work’?
A8. The book publisher provided a book cover designer and the title was based on what I was advancing as an awareness concept.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. I try to address in a simple and understandable way the various aspects that the book was conveying—not going into any more detail than necessary to advance an idea that would benefit people in business, both for themselves and in working with and for others
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. If you want to write do it, even when your writing at first is not accepted—keep on going and eventually you will succeed. And convey your ideas simply and in plain English. Do not use fancy words in an effort to make yourself look smart.
Author’s profile on Amazon
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