We have all heard of IQ, EQ and perhaps even of SQ. There was a time when IQ (Intelligent Quotient) was main stream and an important predictor high performance or achievement. Then in the recent past Emotional Intelligence (EQ) gained traction in the main stream literature was touted as an essential trait in Leadership perhaps because there was a shift from Systems Thinking to People or Talent Strategies. Leadership was strong driver in that Philosophy. The World has moved on. With the Covid19 Pandemic,what the world needs now is beyond Leadership. Thanks to the Pandemic there is so much uncerttaintly in almost every aspect of our lives that that entrusting it all to Leadership just isnt going to alone isnt’t suffcient. with SQ – Spiritual Intelligence Skills.

Spiritual Intelligence is a trait that current Leadership need s in this new era of Uncertainty in the Post Covid19 Era. In the recent past Spiritual Intelligence or SQ as it is commonly referred to was not popular for 2 reasons:

1)      Due to the old prevailing paradigms of materialism and capitalism

2)      SQ was esoteric and too abstract to be measured.

Early workers on SQ like the those listed here, and many others were responsible for making SQ more mainstream. Danah Zohar (2000) defined 12 principles underlying spiritual intelligence. Ken O’Donnell (1997) advocated the integration of spiritual intelligence (SQ) with both rational intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ)’. Emmons, R.A. (2000). "Is spirituality an intelligence?" David B. King who has undertaken research on spiritual intelligence at Trent University, in Ontario, Canada. And Kumar, V.V., & Mehta, M. (2011) ‘Gaining adaptive orientation through spiritual and emotional intelligence’. Much work has already been done in research, but it is the application and making it mainstream that is needed now.

From my research and understanding of what Leadership needs to be equipped for this New Normal of Uncertainty, I have crystallised the early works of the various authors and encapsulated it for easier dissemination for an Organisations context.

The 3 Components are needed for Spiritual Intelligence

1)      Not Me but We – A Mindset Change

In the new world it’s got to be a mindset that sees the wholesomeness and interconnectedness of everything. If we think anything in terms of me or I, we are lost. Even if we think my team, my company, my family or even my country, we will never be able to make or achieve success in any meaningful endeavour.

The Covid19 clearly showed us how we have to work against the isolated mindset and a separationist attitude, when it devastated nations. That too, they were Developed nations which held on to super guarding of its borders and way of life. What ever challenges we are going to face will be global in effect. It will be not just corporate and local community that the ‘we’ means. The new ‘We’ is the hordes of refugees knocking at our borders, the poverty-stricken masses, the animal/plant world and even Mother Earth. The Universal We!

2)      Generating Meaningful Value

The Era of Material gains is over and fast diminishing, value that used to be based on ROI and materialistic benefits is no more the determining factor for success. The New Normal will put demands on how meaningful your Value offering is. What use is a super smart phone when droves of people die? What benefit are social comforts when there is no mental wellbeing?

What are the new meaningful values that are demanded from the masses? No more is it entertainment or sports nor exquisite tasting food. These may very well be around but it will be clear when the dust settles that we were paying and sacrificing too much of our resources for non-essential and non-meaningful hedonistic value offerings. Good to have but not essential is no more in!

3)      Mindfulness

This trait is going to be a challenge because this factor draws on the other 2 Intelligences (IQ and EQ). And if one falls short on either IQ and EQ or both than we will find Mindfulness a major Challenge.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is state of Mind incorporating many mental processes that most people are not knowledgeable or trained. Our educational system and way of live certainly did not pay attention to developing this strongly needed trait.

Mindfulness is being in the present; The Power of Now as professed by Eckhart Tolle. Mindfulness is being aware of one’s fears and desires, one’s own mindset, one’s subtle agenda based on one’s paradigms. Mindfulness is taking cognizance of one’s internal environment (mental and physical) and at the same time being aware of the external environment and responding (not knee-jerk reacting). Mindfulness is a laser sharp knife using the ‘Thinking Executive’ to cut through the distracting clutter and be insightful. Mindfulness is calmly and in a composed manner (not passionately nor emotionally) standing up for what your Mind determines is the right thing to do. Mindfulness is being monk-like and not frantically achieving objectives akin to Type A Personality. Mindfulness is being effective and not being efficient. And lastly, Mindfulness is working with the spiritual (and not yet scientifically accepted) powers of the Superconscious mind honed by years of mental/spiritual alignment and focus.

That is why Mindfulness a key component of SQ is not an easy to master. But with proper guidance and the correct teacher or coach even this can be achieved along with the 2 other traits for a high Spiritual Quotient in Spiritual Intelligence.