In her book SQ21: The Twenty-One Skills of Emotional Intelligence, Cindy Wigglesworth talks about the four energies people bring to the project. She describes each of these energies as a form of intelligence. These are as follows. There could be more from other literatures as well. 1. PQ - Body awareness and skillful use 2. IQ - Math and verbal abilities 3. EQ - Managing ourselves and our relationships 4. SQ - Acting with inner wisdom guided by compassion. From my modicum of experience, project managers are primarily interested in IQ, the intellectual intelligence quotient, a skill people bring to the team. They may also be interested in PQ, the physical intelligence or physical skills that someone can bring to a project. However, interest has also grown in the idea of EQ energy/skill. For example, Daniel Goleman promoted Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, as a better predictor of leadership success than IQ. Does SQ remain unexplored as yet? or is it being integrated in some form in the other three types? Would love to know your thoughts Saving Changes...
I'd suggest that IQ maps well to the Ways of Working leg of the Talent Triangle, whereas PQ and EQ both align well with Power Skills. Most PMs are aware of the importance of competency across both of those legs.
SQ is an intriguing one - can you provide specific examples from Cindy's book on how that intelligence can be demonstrated as it does, on the surface, appear to be covered under the empathy aspects of EQ?
Kiron
...
1 reply by Dr. Deepa Bhide
Jul 12, 2024 12:01 AM
Dr. Deepa Bhide
...
Kiron, in her book Cindy, does for spiritual intelligence what Daniel Goleman does for emotional intelligence: It gives it a clear definition, a sharpened focus, and elucidates the difference it can make in organizations as well as individuals. She breaks down
She breaks down the competencies that comprise SQ into 21 skills, arranged into a four-quadrant model that include higher self / ego self awareness, universal awareness, higher self / ego self mastery, and spiritual presence / social mastery.
From a project management standpoint, I think it's close to Daniel Goleman's EQ framework. I think SQ focuses on moral and ethical aspects and helps people find meaning in life, build their vision and values, and understand what makes them strive for self-actualization where as EQ focuses on recognizing and managing emotions, including one's own and the emotions of others. Both are important for a PM.
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
servant leadership is the future of leadership
Servant leadership is the future of leadership. This approach focuses on putting people first, removing barriers so employees can better serve customers. It is not about allowing employees to do what they want, but about meeting their legitimate needs and holding them accountable for results, achieving high standards and improving customer service.
Empowerment: Service leaders empower employees and entrepreneurs to create and develop new opportunities and businesses.
Human connection: Successful leaders deeply understand people and have the ability to connect with them, which is crucial to creating a prosperous future.
Inclusion and diversity: It is critical to recognize and support diversity, such as the role of women in entrepreneurship, especially in regions such as Africa.
Involvement: Servant leaders do not seek to control people, but to involve them in the process, fostering an environment of collaboration and participation.
Long-term vision: This type of leadership involves stepping back to see the big picture, addressing complexities and being agile when necessary.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
...
1 reply by Dr. Deepa Bhide
Jul 11, 2024 11:48 PM
Dr. Deepa Bhide
...
Thanks Fabian for bringing the point of human connection. That's the crucial part of project management and SQ.
I don’t think the concept of SQ is new or unexplored but rather it is the most controversial being a central concept in politics and whether people should be governed through benevolence or force, the carrot or the stick. In the business world, some favor servant leadership vs. others command and control.
The concept goes far back. Machiavelli wrote about all of those skills organized differently when providing council on gaining and maintaining power as the head of state. Specific to SQ in his book The Prince he describes the importance of not being hated either by the people for being too cruel, or by the military for being too soft as either body may revolt. In the context of PM, that can be viewed as how teammates will often underperform or leave the team if treated without empathy, and functional managers will take issue if the team isn’t held accountable so we as PMs need to find the right balance.
...
1 reply by Dr. Deepa Bhide
Jul 11, 2024 11:53 PM
Dr. Deepa Bhide
...
Keith, I agree that the concept of SQ has been explored for a zillion years. People, regardless of the project teams, seek meaning and purpose in life which connects them to something greater than themselves. I believe SQ relates to behaving with wisdom and compassion while maintaining inner and outer peace, regardless of the project circumstances.
I am unsure how this directly translates to command and control vs. servant leadership analogies. I think its about the PM and his ultimate goal and what he seeks from the project teams that defines the SQ.
Servant leadership is the future of leadership. This approach focuses on putting people first, removing barriers so employees can better serve customers. It is not about allowing employees to do what they want, but about meeting their legitimate needs and holding them accountable for results, achieving high standards and improving customer service.
Empowerment: Service leaders empower employees and entrepreneurs to create and develop new opportunities and businesses.
Human connection: Successful leaders deeply understand people and have the ability to connect with them, which is crucial to creating a prosperous future.
Inclusion and diversity: It is critical to recognize and support diversity, such as the role of women in entrepreneurship, especially in regions such as Africa.
Involvement: Servant leaders do not seek to control people, but to involve them in the process, fostering an environment of collaboration and participation.
Long-term vision: This type of leadership involves stepping back to see the big picture, addressing complexities and being agile when necessary.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Thanks Fabian for bringing the point of human connection. That's the crucial part of project management and SQ. Saving Changes...
I don’t think the concept of SQ is new or unexplored but rather it is the most controversial being a central concept in politics and whether people should be governed through benevolence or force, the carrot or the stick. In the business world, some favor servant leadership vs. others command and control.
The concept goes far back. Machiavelli wrote about all of those skills organized differently when providing council on gaining and maintaining power as the head of state. Specific to SQ in his book The Prince he describes the importance of not being hated either by the people for being too cruel, or by the military for being too soft as either body may revolt. In the context of PM, that can be viewed as how teammates will often underperform or leave the team if treated without empathy, and functional managers will take issue if the team isn’t held accountable so we as PMs need to find the right balance.
Keith, I agree that the concept of SQ has been explored for a zillion years. People, regardless of the project teams, seek meaning and purpose in life which connects them to something greater than themselves. I believe SQ relates to behaving with wisdom and compassion while maintaining inner and outer peace, regardless of the project circumstances.
I am unsure how this directly translates to command and control vs. servant leadership analogies. I think its about the PM and his ultimate goal and what he seeks from the project teams that defines the SQ.
...
1 reply by Keith Novak
Jul 12, 2024 12:31 AM
Keith Novak
...
Deepa,
The relationship that I see is that following a command and control leadership style, SQ may be considered of little value, or even a weakness.
Under that leadership philosophy, wisdom is still important, but not empathy. Machiavelli was certainly wise summarizing much of known history in terms of learning from it and using it to advantage but I would not describe him as empathetic.
I have been at companies when new management came in and immediately the concept of family was replaced by team. Shareholder value was the only priority. I see many managers today interested in getting ahead who care much less about their employees than showing financial numbers that will get them promoted, regardless of the impact to their employees.
My own leadership style is very much empathetic and about raising my team so the empathy part of SQ is important to me. When taking a DISC assessment however, I learned that the personality profile most common with CEOs closely matches that of serial killers. There is still wisdom required to understand people but that wisdom is focused on their own interests and exploitation rather than concern for others.
Keith
I'd suggest that IQ maps well to the Ways of Working leg of the Talent Triangle, whereas PQ and EQ both align well with Power Skills. Most PMs are aware of the importance of competency across both of those legs.
SQ is an intriguing one - can you provide specific examples from Cindy's book on how that intelligence can be demonstrated as it does, on the surface, appear to be covered under the empathy aspects of EQ?
Kiron
Kiron, in her book Cindy, does for spiritual intelligence what Daniel Goleman does for emotional intelligence: It gives it a clear definition, a sharpened focus, and elucidates the difference it can make in organizations as well as individuals. She breaks down
She breaks down the competencies that comprise SQ into 21 skills, arranged into a four-quadrant model that include higher self / ego self awareness, universal awareness, higher self / ego self mastery, and spiritual presence / social mastery.
From a project management standpoint, I think it's close to Daniel Goleman's EQ framework. I think SQ focuses on moral and ethical aspects and helps people find meaning in life, build their vision and values, and understand what makes them strive for self-actualization where as EQ focuses on recognizing and managing emotions, including one's own and the emotions of others. Both are important for a PM.
Keith, I agree that the concept of SQ has been explored for a zillion years. People, regardless of the project teams, seek meaning and purpose in life which connects them to something greater than themselves. I believe SQ relates to behaving with wisdom and compassion while maintaining inner and outer peace, regardless of the project circumstances.
I am unsure how this directly translates to command and control vs. servant leadership analogies. I think its about the PM and his ultimate goal and what he seeks from the project teams that defines the SQ.
Deepa,
The relationship that I see is that following a command and control leadership style, SQ may be considered of little value, or even a weakness.
Under that leadership philosophy, wisdom is still important, but not empathy. Machiavelli was certainly wise summarizing much of known history in terms of learning from it and using it to advantage but I would not describe him as empathetic.
I have been at companies when new management came in and immediately the concept of family was replaced by team. Shareholder value was the only priority. I see many managers today interested in getting ahead who care much less about their employees than showing financial numbers that will get them promoted, regardless of the impact to their employees.
My own leadership style is very much empathetic and about raising my team so the empathy part of SQ is important to me. When taking a DISC assessment however, I learned that the personality profile most common with CEOs closely matches that of serial killers. There is still wisdom required to understand people but that wisdom is focused on their own interests and exploitation rather than concern for others.
Keith Saving Changes...
Ming YeungAdjunct Professor & Acting COO/CPO/CRO (contract)| Blockchain Venture Capital Inc.Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dear Deepa, thank you for sharing your reflection on Cindy Wigglesworth's book and the introducing the (new) spiritual intelligence to me for further study. A servant leadership, in my humble view, should embody and leverage these 4 types of intelligence in circumstances as applicable. Thank you. Saving Changes...
"Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious and immature."
Community Champion
