The Emotionally Agile Brain
“This book is a fascinating modern take on the human condition.”
A revolution has been quietly taking place.
In study after study, emotional forces massively outweigh human rationality in determining our actual choices and actions. AgileBrain is based on decades of psychological research conducted by the author, and others, published in peer-reviewed academic journals. It begins with the discovery of the first principles of all human motivation — motivation is fundamentally about change, and change can be described by two questions.
“Where in your life do you wish to make a change?”
To answer this question, we can choose from four life domains: the Self, the Social, the Material, and the Spiritual. Note that these represent pairs of opposites: Self vs. Social, Material vs. Spiritual.
“What kind of change do you wish to make?”
To answer this question, we can choose from Aristotle’s three levels of existence: foundational (being), experiential (doing), and aspirational (having).
“Everyone has a unique ‘fingerprint’ of emotional needs at any given moment in time. Becoming aware of that motivational state is a profound revelation for most people. It cuts right through the noise and distractions of life, and frees them to pursue what they really want.”
What Readers Are Saying about The Emotionally Agile Brain
This book fulfills the potential of becoming one of the most thorough presentations of the theoretical systems of motivation that is currently available in the academic literature. Written in delightful style in language easy to follow, it provides a new synthesis for the field of motivation research.
The Emotionally Agile Brain is a tour de force! Dr. Pincus brings forward a coherent model—a research-based taxonomy—of emotional needs that explains why we choose what we choose and why we do what we do. This is a must for anyone seeking to better understand the antecedents to human behavior.
How many times have you asked yourself “Why did I do that?” Dr. Pincus does an amazing job of disentangling what motivates us. Deeply researched and written with alacrity, it will help you understand others more deeply and, most importantly, be a better you.
“This book is more than a tool for self-discovery—it’s a transformative roadmap for unlocking potential, building emotional resilience, and cultivating meaningful connections. Introducing AgileBrain to Ukraine has been one of the most rewarding milestones in my professional journey, and I am deeply committed to sharing its profound benefits with others. I have no doubt that this book will resonate deeply with readers around the globe, inspiring them to embrace emotional agility as a foundation for personal growth and lasting success. A must-read for anyone seeking to thrive in today’s ever-evolving world.”
Oleg LavrynovychEMBA, AgileBrain Master Practitioner, ICF Ukraine Capitula Expert, Business Coach, Chartered Manager MCMI“Self-awareness and self-efficacy begin with understanding our emotions, our needs, and the resulting behaviors. The Emotionally Agile Brain explores the depths of our emotional needs and presents a brilliant framework that summarizes over a century of research into a simple, practical model. Dr. Pincus provides insights and tools that apply to overall wellbeing, organizational culture, leadership, emotional resilience, and engagement of students and employees. This book is a roadmap to exploring the emotions that inspire and motivate us, as well as set us on a course for personal growth.”
Lisa A. Kingauthor of Just Do You: Leadership, Authenticity, and Your Personal Brand“In The Emotionally Agile Brain Dr. Pincus presents a thoughtful, comprehensive, and well-researched exploration of our emotional landscape and how it impacts motivation. For those interested in understanding human behavior, this is a must read.”
Prof. Scott B. DustFealy Family Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship; Carl H. Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati“The Emotionally Agile Brain is a groundbreaking work that transcends traditional boundaries of emotional motivation, offering a universally applicable framework with profound implications across multiple fields. Pincus’s model provides a meta-theory that integrates and clarifies areas long struggling to articulate coherent foundations. This book truly marks a watershed moment in our understanding of human dynamics.”
Ken Belleraward-winning author of The Consistent Consumer, Great Peacemakers, and Quiet Hour“In The Emotionally Agile Brain, Dr. Pincus provides an insightful, deeply researched exploration of emotional dynamics and their critical influence on motivation. This book is an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of how emotions drive behavior, especially in leadership and organizational settings.”
Andrés DavilaManagement Professor and Psychologist, specializing in Motivation and Organizational Behavior“The Emotionally Agile Brain offers a compelling, research-backed approach to emotional assessment, revealing the transformative impact of applying the unified model of human motivation. This book provides an accessible and empirically-validated method for college students to enhance their emotional vocabulary and understanding, empowering them to navigate mental well-being with confidence and clarity.”
Dr. Randall VanWagonerPresident, Mohawk Valley Community College“The Emotionally Agile Brain by J.D. Pincus is a groundbreaking exploration into the depths of human motivation. Pincus masterfully dissects the 12 elements that drive us, presenting a unique model that spans the domains of Self, Material, Social, and Spiritual. Highly recommended for anyone committed to personal development and emotional intelligence.”
Prof. Alexandros PsychogiosProfessor of Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour, Loughborough University, UK
Get the book that started it all.
The research behind AgileBrain, in one volume — available in hardcover and Kindle.