Values are the key - SQ, the other type of intelligence #intelligence #values

When you talk about intelligence in your co-workers most leaders refer to your IQ (intellectual capacity) and only a few leaders to your EQ (emotional inteliigence). I think this is a very clear sign that so much of our leadership behaviour evaluates only a small part of our co-workers joint intelligence. Lately a relative new term called SQ (valuebased intelligence) is being introduced, which takes into consideration how more and more of our joint collaboration can not happen solely through a old-fashioned hierarchy and a traditional leadership approach. More and more the leader is someone who recognizes the common core of intelligence in the ENTIRE organization with no look upon rank, status or educational background. The borders get whizzy - and you lead a bunch of co-workers, who most likely is smarter than you. So this is where SQ comes into the picture. IF you have solid values, integrity and the ability to understand the DIVERSITY of things that motivates, THEN you have a real chance of making outstanding innovation and  development by unleashing the POTENTIAL in your entire organization. 

What do you think? Can you use some of this knowledge in your own organization? 

• Q1: IQ – Enhanced ideation, innovative thought, strategic thought, ability to learn-relearn
• Q2: EQ – Emotional intelligence, communication, collaboration, risk tolerance, resiliency
• Q3: SQ – Values, purpose, integrity of communication, action; and the development of the intrinsic motivators that keep us learning, leading and striving forward when times are tough)

Personal happiness

What is happiness - really? Is being comfortable with your life enough? Is being content at your work enough? How about your family situation, your love life, your way of living your life? A lot of existential thoughts that can be difficult to define, right?

So how to go about finding out? Well, one thing that alwys work for me is is my GUT FEELING. How does it feel when you ask yourself these questions? Do you feel good inside - about the whole package? And if not, what part of your life are you not happy about? And are you willing to DO something about the parts that you are not happy about?  

Well, in my case I try to be aligned with my personal values in life. And I try - as best I can - to live my life according to my values and my energy account! Confused about what that is? Look at a former blog on mbinzer.com called "energy accounting".  

And what does it mean? To live your life according to your personal values? Well, basically that you can look yourself in the mirror about the choices and decisions you make. The gut feeling is always a good start. And if you do not know how to use your gut feeling, then write it down - do a systematic go/no-go line where you register how your feelings towards the situation at hand is.  

I notice more and more that a lot of the people I meet have forgotten how to register their gut feeling, which is a powerful tool. Train on it. Try to keep tab on how you feel - and get in touch with your own personal values. It will change your life. Good luck - and...... Write to me here on the blog if you have questions or suggestions. 

Happy Living

Imagine your World without happiness - what a sad place. Then imagine what you can do to influence happiness in your life. Quite a lot you can do about it yourself, right? The way I look at things I have so much to be grateful for in my life - and happiness is not a matter of money or status, even though it can help. Happiness comes from within. YOU can make yourself happy. It is a choice. 

Some of the most happy people I have met in my life has not been rich or famous - and yet so many of us strive towards these things in the pursuit of more happiness.  So what makes you happy? Do you know?

Can you describe exactly what situations, which people or what state of mind where you feel happiness inside? Well, then you can consciously seek it in your life. 

Good relations

So what is that?

To me it is based on trust and willingness to learn. I think it is some of the most rewarding feeling when you meet new people and it just clicks right away. Very often it has something to do with the personal dynamic of the person you meet. Either their personal values, their energy or the situation in which you meet them. I think we meet people for a reason - and very often the reason is that you have something to learn from them. I was just at a Conference where I met with a lot of interesting people - some on the personal level and some on the professional level. In any case I learned something from talking to them and kept an open mind about their views. The experience I had have given me inspiration that I have brought back home and that I will translate to action and insights. How about you? How does relationship work in your case?

Have you thought about how to improve your relations? Or do you have tips?

Do you have courage?

Well, if you do, then you also automatically accept that not all things in life are easy. And when it comes to transformations and other big changes - no matter if it is corporate or privately - happens by itself. So what is your approach to it? Do you embrace it - and work with it? Or do you fight it?

I believe change is linked to courage, because you have to adapt to a new situation. And adapting and changing things can be a daunting experience for most people if they do not embrace it. Change is okay when we feel in control - or have a say. Change is most often not so easy to accept, when OTHER people wants us to change. So some tool to embrace change is communication, communication and more communication about the need for change. Still to this day I think John Kotters "Melting the Iceberg" about a colony of penguins is the best storytelling I have met about change. If you have not read it - do so!