Hello there,
It's a brand new Monday here on the arena. Based on our usuals, Memo continues.
Shall we? Yep!
Once upon a time, if I was asked what it takes to be successful. I may have said it simply comes down to hardwork (sprinkled with a bit of luck and sponsorship). It’s what my parents drilled into me from an early age. While I’ve certainly worked hard over the course of my life, it turns out hardwork is just a small part of the equation. I attribute success to the syncing of Six Q's.
The six Q’s — IQ (Intelligence Quotient), EQ (Emotional Quotient), CQ (Curiosity Quotient), AQ (Adversity Quotient), PQ (Passion Quotient), and MQ (Moral Quotient) — collectively represent a holistic approach to personal and professional development.
Memo will delve into three today, so ensure you don't miss the latter part, next week.
1) IQ (Intelligence Quotient)
Intelligence, not surprisingly, is a key predictor of career success. A recent study by an Israeli researcher demonstrates that when intelligence and socio-economic background are pitted directly against one another, intelligence is a more accurate predictor of future career success.
What does that mean? It means you need to know your stuff. You need to demonstrate technical competency. It means you need to know how to connect the dots in a complex business environment. A love for learning helps, as does a focus on continually expanding your base of knowledge. And for most of us, that requires hard work.
Intelligence, however, is clearly not everything. In fact, it’s probably the least important of the six attributes. It may come as no surprise that Bill Gates has an IQ of 160. On the other hand, John F. Kennedy is said to have had an IQ of 119. Yet both were highly successful, proving that intelligence is clearly not everything.
2) EQ (Emotional Quotient)
That brings me to the second trait -- emotional intelligence. EQ reflects one's ability to understand and manage emotions, both of oneself and others. Daniel Goleman, co-director of the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations, popularized this concept in the 1990s. There’s been a lot written on this topic, and the focus is about the importance of self awareness and taking control of your emotions.
The poet—Rudyard Kipling, wrote in his poem— “If”— “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you....yours is the earth and everything in it.”
The good news about EQ is that it can be practiced and learned. Individuals who have a high EQ listen and are open to feedback. Even more importantly, they apply that feedback and focus on continuous improvement.
They can admit when they’re wrong. They willingly step out of their comfort zones, take risks and are quick to adapt to, change. They’re people I like to work with, because their quiet confidence is stabilizing and promotes teamwork.
They’re not threatened by others’ success. In fact, they’re great mentors and coaches. They know that success is not a zero sum game. People want to be on a team that has leaders with high EQ.
3) CQ
You don’t hear as much about curiosity intelligence, the third trait, yet it’s a critical capability for navigating today’s increasingly global and personal development. CQ signifies intellectual curiosity and a thirst for continuous learning. In a rapidly evolving world, professionals with high CQ actively seek knowledge, embrace new ideas, and innovate, thereby staying ahead in their fields and contributing creatively to their organizations.
Dear reader, today is a good day to reflect on your strengths and areas for development across each Q. Identify priorities for improvement based on your career goals and aspirations.
Memo will be back!