Hello again, my friends.
I’m delighted you are here. This is one of my favorite teachings on what helps people be more successful.
In this article, we are going to talk about the pros and cons of intelligence.
The intelligence measurement that most of us are familiar with is IQ (Intelligence Quotient). That’s how effectively you use our brain. Of course, it is an important factor in your success. You need to be able to function intellectually in society. You have to be able to think clearly and logically.
But actually, your IQ has less to do with your success personally and professionally than does another type of intelligence: EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient).
Some people don’t like the term, Emotional Intelligence. They think that it is not a sign of intelligence, but I beg to differ. I will tell you that, for most people who get released from employment or separated in a relationship, it has nothing to do with their IQ. It most often a matter of EQ and how well they play with others.
John Maxwell says it beautifully in the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership when he says, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
The knowing is your representation of IQ, and the caring is represented as your EQ.
But did you know, my friends, that there is actually a third intelligence?
That is the “con” of intelligence.
This is your Conative Intelligence Quotient (CQ). It’s actually not a con but it does begin with “con”.
CQ is your willingness to apply what you are thinking or feeling into action. It is where you take the steps you know, and feel are right for you, and put them into action.
You can have two people that have the same IQ and EQ, but different CQ’s; and the one with a higher CQ will spring into action, take more risk, and do more things to invest in themselves. They will sweat, hustle, and work hard.
They may both have the same IQ / EQ toolkit, but CQ is what makes them take the tools out and apply them to success.
The good news is that CQ is something you can improve upon.
There are many ways to do this. The executive coaching clients, the people in the Ascend Program, and the ACT coaches I work with are all people with good intelligence quotients. They don’t need me to help with that area. Some need help with Emotional Intelligence issues such as how to deal with people.
But most need help with CQ – with how to take what they know and are passionate about and actually put it into action.
We do some very helpful visioning exercises to help determine where they want to be one year from now, five years from now, and ten years from now. Or even two months from now.
But all the dreaming and visioning in the world doesn’t do anything unless you take action.
So quite often I ask questions like:
“What’s the deadline?”
“What’s your first step? When are you going to take the first step?”
“What are the potential obstacles that you might face?”
This helps get them prepared mentally and emotionally for the challenges ahead. That is, in fact, what a coach does.
How readily do you turn your thoughts and feelings into action?
This is an indicator of your Conative Intelligence Quotient.
Let me give you an illustration.
Five frogs are sitting on a log. Three of them are thinking about jumping off the log. How many frogs are left?
If you said two, think again.
The correct answer is five.
- Thinking about jumping off the log is not the same as jumping off the log.
- Feeling strongly about jumping off the log is not the same as jumping off the log.
- Having a detailed plan to jump off the log is not the same as jumping off the log.
Having fervent intent and a detailed plan are wonderful things, and I am totally in favor of these, but they should not be confused with taking action.
I talk to so many people about the programs that are offered to help them get off their proverbial logs. They say, “Well, I really could use that. That’s something I’m going to consider.”
And I believe them.
You might have said it yourself. I believe you, too. I believe your intentions.
But intentions don’t take action. People take action.
There are IQ, EQ, and CQ, the pro’s and cons of intelligence.
And the differentiator between those who succeed and realize their dreams – and those who don’t – is CQ.
So where are you today? Are you sitting on the log – or are you jumping?
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Ed DeCosta is one of the most engaging executive coaches and thought leaders of our time. He delivers results with companies of all sizes, from high tech start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. Ed is an ICF certified professional coach. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University, a master’s degree in international management from the University of Texas, and an MBA from the University of Texas. Ed is also an adjunct faculty member in West Virginia University’s College of Business and Economics, teaching Professional Selling and entrepreneurship courses.
CQ – that’s something I’m definitely working on. Thank you Ed for this reminder!