IQ, EQ, CQ, SQ

“It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently” (Fyodor Dostoyevsky).

“There is an old-fashioned word for the body of skills that emotional intelligence represents: character” (Dr. Daniel Goleman).

“Organizations often appoint leaders for their IQ.  Then, years later, sack them for their lack of EQ [/EI - Emotional Intelligence]/ Common purpose argues that in the future, they will promote for CQ-Cultural Intelligence [along with EQ and IQ]” (Julia Middleton).

“You can have a high IQ and be dumb as dirt about things that truly matter. You can have a high CQ for the collective and be clueless about individual SQ (Spiritual Quotient / SI = Spiritual Intelligence)” (L. Missy Duncan).

To be a fully-functioning, symmetrical, intelligent person, I suspect we need to consistently engage our IQ, EQ/ EI, CQ / CI, and SQ / SI.  Before I defend this statement, let’s look at the definitions of each. 

As you know, IQ is defined as intelligence quotient [quotient means a degree of a specified quality, trait, characteristic].  In 1905, French psychologist, Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon invented the first I test; the original test was only 30 questions that were curated to measure attention, memory, and verbal skill levels of schoolchildren.  It had become the basis “…for every major intelligence test still administered today” (https://scienceinsights.org/when-were-iq-tests-invented-origins-to-today/). Later, in 1916, Lewis Terman, a Stanford University psychologist updated and adapted Binet’s test for American children and released the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale.  He standardized the test questions for the American population by adjusting difficulty levels and test ranges.  “The score was calculated by dividing a child’s mental age by their chronological age and multiplying by 100.” (https://scienceinsights.org/when-were-iq-tests-invented-origins-to-today/). It was widely used throughout the WWI and WWII years for assessing groups of people in a quick and inexpensive way, for example in the military, political, and scientific arenas. Then, it was moved “into schools, workplaces, and immigration processing in the years that followed” (https://scienceinsights.org/when-were-iq-tests-invented-origins-to-today/). Of course, it has come under scrutiny for ignoring gender, racial, and cultural / national differences in intelligence. In addition, we have observed that there are different types of ‘intelligence’ that are not addressed by standardized IQ tests.  Modern IQ tests look quite dissimilar from Binet’s and Simon’s first IQ test.  They are used mostly to assess adults using the 2024 Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale while the Stanford-Binet test is given to children.  Scoring has changed too.  “Modern IQ tests use a statistical method where 100 represents the average score for a given age group, and each 15-point jump above or below represents one standard deviation from that average. About 68% of people score between 85 and 115. This replaced the old mental-age-divided-by-chronological-age formula, which broke down when applied to adults” (https://scienceinsights.org/when-were-iq-tests-invented-origins-to-today/).

Of course, there are pros and cons to IQ testing:

1. Pros include -

2. Can provide valuable insights that don’t rely on learned knowledge.

3. Can identify children who are ‘gifted’ (have an above-average innate intellectual ability)

4. Can provide valuable data about how the brain works

2. Cons include -

• Can be biased because they don’t take individuals’ intelligence.

• Labeling children’s intelligence can be harmful because it isn’t an accurate measure of a child’s actual potential.

• They do not measure other essential types of intelligence, such as “…musically, kinetically, intrapersonally” (https://www.theclassroom.com/pro-cons-iq-testing-5372456.html) intelligent, EQ / EI, CQ / CI, or SQ / SI.

When I was a child in the 1960s, I was IQ tested.  The good news is that I tested quite high in IQ.  The bad news is that my parents kept watching for my “genius” to emerge and when it didn’t show up as a little Einstein, they were disappointed.  I was told things like, “You can do and be anything you want to be and do.” That sounds encouraging, but, it was a terrible burden and an inaccurate thing to tell a child.  Since there are many types of intelligences, focusing only on IQ is missing the BIG picture.  After I’ve introduced / defined EQ / EI and CQ / CI, I’ll share about Gardner’s Theory Of Multiple Intelligences.  I believe we are all geniuses at something and that we are not to be judged on the measuring stick of IQ.

EQ / EI - Emotional Quotient or Emotional Intelligence is the capacity to recognize, apply, comprehend, organize, and deal with emotions.

What are the signs of having high emotional intelligence?:

• emotional identification of emotions of yourself and others,

• using emotional cues to guide thinking and behavior,

• recognizing between and labelling different feelings, and adjusting emotions to adapt to environments.

• emotional literacy. [knowing your feelings, having a sense of empathy, learning to manage your emotions, fixing emotional issues / problems, ease with connecting emotionally with others]

The term, EQ / EI  first appeared in 1964, but it didn’t gain popularity until Dr. Daniel Goleman, psychologist and science journalist, published his 1995 bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence. “Daniel Goleman’s framework consists of five core components of emotional intelligence (EQ): Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Internal Motivation, Empathy, and Social Skills. These pillars define how we understand ourselves and navigate relationships.

The framework breaks down into these specific elements:

• Self-Awareness: The ability to recognize your own emotions, moods, and drives, as well as understand how your feelings and actions impact the people around you.

• Self-Regulation: The capacity to control or redirect disruptive impulses, adapt to changing circumstances, and ‘think before acting.’

• Internal Motivation: A passion for the work itself that goes beyond external rewards (like money or status). It is driven by a deep inner curiosity and a persistent desire to achieve.

• Empathy: The ability to understand the emotional makeup of other people and treat them according to their emotional reactions.

• Social Skills: The capacity to manage relationships, build networks, and find common ground. Goleman describes this as ‘friendliness with a purpose’ to build rapport and move people in a desired direction.

Goleman later grouped these five areas into a broader four-quadrant matrix focusing on Self (Self-Awareness, Self-Management) and Others (Social Awareness, Relationship Management)” (qtd. in https://www.verywellmind.com/components-of-emotional-intelligence-2795438).  Unfortunately, having EQ / EI in 2026 among the top leaders of the USA and a few other countries is seen as weak.  All you have to do is watch the news and social media to see how emotionally immature and unintelligent they are.  But, for sane, intelligent, emotionally mature people, we get it; we respect empathy, responding rather than reacting, knowing ourselves. 

I equate EQ /  EI with integrity: being honest even when it doesn’t make you look like a ‘hero,’ being authentic, demonstrating moral courage, proving consistency between your words and actions / between your beliefs and your actions and words, taking accountability / responsibility even when you mess up, being dependable by keeping your promises and honoring your commitments to yourself and to others.  That’s the kind of person I strive to be and the standards I hold for our leaders.  And, EQ / EI is a powerful trait to curate.

You have likely heard about IQ and EQ / EI; have you encountered CQ / CI?  “This concept was introduced in 2003 by researchers P. Christopher Earley and Soon Ang. Today, it is widely utilized in global business, healthcare, and human resources to strengthen DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts and improve team leadership. Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is the ability to adapt, communicate, and function effectively across diverse cultural, ethnic, and organizational backgrounds. Unlike IQ (cognitive ability) or EQ (emotional intelligence), CQ focuses specifically on navigating cross-cultural dynamics without judgment.

It is divided into four core capabilities:

• CQ Drive (Motivational): Your interest, confidence, and energy to adapt to cross-cultural situations.

• CQ Knowledge (Cognitive): Your understanding of how cultures differ, including their values, customs, and norms.

• CQ Strategy (Metacognitive): Your ability to plan, recognize cultural nuances, and check assumptions during interactions.

• CQ Action (Behavioral): Your capability to adapt both verbal and non-verbal behaviors appropriately in real time” (https://culturalq.com/).

While some in the USA and other countries don’t honor, respect, attempt to connect with other cultures, the wise, intelligent, fully-developed adults do honor, respect, celebrate cultures. Curious about how CQ you are?  Take this assessment and find out: https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=what-is-your-cq.

Earlier, I mentioned Gardner’s Theory Of Multiple Intelligences. Let’s look at Dr. Gardner’s multiple intelligences.  Gardner “…proposes that intelligence is not a single ability but a collection of distinct types. He identified eight intelligences:

• linguistic - finding the right words to express what you mean

• logical-mathematical - quantifying things, making hypotheses and proving them

• spatial - visualizing the world in 3D

• musical - discerning sounds, their pitch, tone, rhythm, and timbre

• bodily-kinesthetic - coordinating your mind with your body

• interpersonal - sensing people’s feelings and motives

• intrapersonal - understanding yourself what you feel, and what you want

• naturalistic - understanding living things and reading nature” (https://www.simplypsychology.org/multiple-intelligences.html).

Gardner’s theory suggests that everyone has different strengths and learning styles across these areas. These, along with IQ, EQ / EI, CQ / CI, define your personal genius.  Everyone is a genius about something!  For example, my linguistic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, EQ / EI, and CQ / CI are areas where I am intelligent.  My daughter, who is a top athlete is super intelligent in spatial, logical-mathematical, and bodily-kinesthetic.  Do you want to assess your multiple intelligences?  Check out this free test: https://prismatest.com/en/tests/garner .

The last area of intelligence I'll discuss is SQ / SI; it’s a relatively new concept and it might surprise you what it means. “Spiritual intelligence (SI) is a term used by some philosophers, psychologists, and developmental theorists to indicate spiritual parallels with intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EI). In her 1997 book, ReWiring the Corporate Brain, [management thinker and known for her work in quantum management] Danah Zohar coined the term ‘spiritual intelligence.’ In the same year, 1997, Ken O'Donnell, an Australian author and consultant living in Brazil, [expanded] the term ‘spiritual intelligence’ in his book Endoquality - The emotional and spiritual dimensions of the human being in organizations. In 2000, in the book Spiritual Intelligence, author Steven Benedict outlined the concept as a perspective offering a way to bring together the spiritual and the material, that is ultimately concerned with the well-being of the universe and all who live there” (https://www.cifiaglobal.com/issue/3/article/cgj-3-6.pdf). I feel the abstracts are too abstract.  What I see is that intelligence is shifting.  There appears to be a rise of spiritual intelligence, especially in light of how “AI is redefining intelligence and pushing us toward abilities machines can’t automate.  Research points to spiritual intelligence [SQ / SI] as a  rising advantage [in humans].  SQ may become our most essential human skill as meaning-making outpaces raw cognitive power.  For most of modern history, intellectual quotient (IQ) was treated as the gold standard for potential, and later, emotional intelligence (EQ) became the best way to succeed in spaces where relationships led to results. Now, both are being disrupted because AI models can complete cognitive tasks with remarkably superior speed and accuracy while simulating emotional connections with users in ways that feel increasingly realistic. Many of the abilities we once relied on to stand out are no longer exclusively human. There was a time when being the smartest person in the room offered a clear path to success, and many professionals built their careers on the ability to synthesize information faster than their peers. Value came from knowledge or expertise and the speed with which it could be deployed. Today, that advantage is no longer a moat because AI systems can draft complex strategy decks and process information at a scale and speed no human can match on their own. The traits that once guaranteed success are no longer enough to set someone apart, so the differentiator is changing from who can access information to who can interpret it wisely.

This seismic change is leaving many of us questioning our place in a world where machines can analyze, summarize, predict, and even mimic empathy on command. And beneath all that uncertainty is a question about what might remain uniquely human when the skills we once celebrated and relied on can be easily and cheaply automated. One capacity gaining attention is spiritual intelligence (SQ). Although the term is often misunderstood as religious or dogmatic, most researchers use it in a secular way to describe how people find meaning and direction in their lives. Robert Emmons defines it as the ability to make meaning when life becomes complex. Danah Zohar and Ian Marshall view it as the capacity that helps us navigate questions of purpose and value, while Cindy Wigglesworth defines it in terms of practical skills like humility, presence, and the ability to hold competing ideas without feeling destabilized. Several validated assessments, such as the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory, suggest that SQ can be measured through capacities like existential reflection, meaning-making, and expanded awareness. The common thread is that SQ can influence how we orient ourselves when familiar strategies stop working and invites us to question whether productivity alone can sustain a meaningful life.

Three qualities that frequently show up in research and interviews with people who have developed SQ are:

• Systems awareness: Some scholars theorize that SQ supports a broader form of awareness that helps people see patterns and consider how events connect. While empirical evidence in this area is still emerging, qualitative studies suggest that people who score higher on SQ measures often describe thinking in terms of interdependence rather than isolated events.

• Purpose-driven orientation: Research from the University of Cambridge, among others, suggests that having a sense of purpose is linked to motivation, creativity, and well-being. SQ frameworks place meaning and purpose at the center, though the direct causal pathway between SQ and purpose remains more correlational than definitive. Even so, people who cultivate SQ often report that purpose functions as an internal reference point, especially when navigating ambiguity.

• Presence: Practices commonly associated with cultivating SQ, including mindfulness [and meditation], have been shown in decades of research to reduce reactivity and strengthen attention regulation. Presence helps individuals remain connected to themselves while experiencing stress, which supports more intentional action under pressure.

Perhaps what stands out most about SQ is that it grows gradually and doesn’t require dramatic reinvention. SQ emerges through honest reflection and a willingness to revisit long-held beliefs and is accessible to anyone willing to engage with themselves intentionally and with curiosity”

(qtd. in https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-guide-to-thriving/202512/the-rise-of-spiritual-intelligence).

In what ways are you intelligent?  Please share your thoughts, insights, and suggestions by either commenting below this post if you are reading this on social media, or, if you are reading this through your email subscription, please share, by emailing me, at reimaginelife22@gmail.com. 

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