Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-294) and index.

The subtle faculty -- Basics -- Attention top and bottom -- The value of a mind adrift -- Finding balance -- The inner rudder -- Seeing ourselves as others see us -- A recipe for self-control -- The woman who knew too much -- The empathy triad -- Social sensitivity -- Patterns, systems, and messes -- System blindness -- Distant threats -- The myth of 10,000 hours -- Brains on games -- Breathing buddies -- How leaders direct attention -- The leader's triple focus -- What makes a leader? -- Leading for the long future.

Psychologist and journalist Daniel Goleman delves into the science of attention in all its varieties and shows why high-achievers need focus, as demonstrated by rich case studies from fields as diverse as competitive sports, education, the arts, and business.