“High Spiritual Quotient demands the most intense personal integrity. It demands that we stand open to experience, that we recapture our ability to see life and others afresh, as though through the eyes of a child, to learn how to tap into our intuition and visualization, as a powerful means of using our inner knowing to ‘make a difference.’ It demands that we live the questions rather than the answers.”
What makes a truly great leader? Unlike old times, it is more than just giving orders and expecting results. “Seeing through the eyes of the child” signifies the perception of a sage, unbiased, uncluttered, disengaged, and merely observing. Is our leadership capable of this? If our executive leadership and societal movers understood these words they would be instantly spiritually intelligent. Spiritual intelligence is a quality that’s gaining traction, and it might be the key to success and a more fulfilling experience in today’s complex world. Spiritual management, which emphasizes fostering spiritual intelligence in the workplace, could be the game-changer businesses are looking for.
Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes
Leaders who possess a childlike wonder will approach challenges with an open-mindedness and wonder. This is the essence of Spiritual Intelligence according to physicist and business thinker Danah Zohar. She believes leaders who cultivate high SI are better equipped to navigate the uncertainties of the modern business landscape. Her books on Spiritual Intelligence, Quantum Leader, and Management in the Quantum Age are a much-needed integration of spiritual wisdom with Quantum Science applied practically to leadership and management art.
The 12 Pillars of Spiritual Intelligence
Zohar outlines 12 core principles that make up spiritual intelligence. These principles of spiritual management include:
- Self-awareness: Knowing your values, motivations, and beliefs.
- Vision and Values-Driven: Leading with a clear purpose and acting ethically.
- Learning from Challenges: Seeing setbacks as opportunities for growth.
- Holistic Thinking: Understanding the bigger picture and how everything connects.
- Compassion: Having empathy and understanding for others.
- Embracing Diversity: Valuing different perspectives and experiences.
- Independent Thinking: Standing up for your convictions, even if unpopular.
- Asking Why: Questioning assumptions and seeking deeper understanding.
- Reframing Problems: Seeing challenges from new angles to find solutions.
- Living in the Moment: Being present and adaptable.
- Sense of Purpose: Feeling called to contribute something meaningful.
- Humility: Recognizing your place in the grand scheme of things.
At Coacharya, we use the term SAGE to indicate the highest level of Spiritual Intelligence (SI) and Spiritual Quotient (SQ) in spiritual coaching. SAGE refers to Selfless Acceptance in Gratitude Engaged with the Universe. A sage coach leader in the SAGE state would certainly practice all these 12 principles.
From Newtonian to Quantum Spiritual Leadership
Zohar argues that traditional leadership models based on cause-and-effect thinking are outdated. She proposes a quantum approach inspired by the principles of quantum physics. In the quantum world, things are interconnected and constantly evolving. In today’s world of chaos and accelerated VUCA change model, 1+1 from a Quantum perspective can be anything from zero to infinity. Leaders who embrace this perspective of quantum spiritual leadership can better navigate today’s unpredictable business environment. In a spiritual sense, the microcosm within reflects the cosmic macrocosm without. One influences the other in work and life.
In her blog You Can’t Isolate Problems Danah says, “When I work with leaders, I urge them to adopt a more “quantum” approach to problem-solving and conflict resolution. Quantum physics, which has replaced Newtonian physics as the most accurate description of reality, tells us that nothing in the universe exists in isolation and that there is no such thing as separation. Everything that exists is ‘entangled’ with everything else. We’re always part of the problem and we will be part of the chosen solution.
In another blog on trust, Danah says, “In our private lives too, cheating on our duties and promises is becoming common, is even in many cases considered socially acceptable. We make commitments to love, nurture, raise, and be there for our children, but 25% of children live in one-parent families and another vast percentage are being raised by step-parents. Nearly every day we give our word to someone but then don’t keep it.”
These words reflect the way many of us work and live. They tell us why we are unwell, depressed and lonely, shorn of faith. Danah’s books suggest the way out as well.
How Can You Cultivate Your SQ?
SQ coaching, a key aspect of spiritual management, can help leaders develop the skills and awareness they need to thrive in the quantum age. By incorporating Zohar’s principles, coaching can help leaders:
- Become more aware of themselves and the changing world around them.
- Develop flexible thinking to adapt to new situations.
- Foster collaboration to leverage the strengths of their teams.
- Think systemically to understand the interconnectedness of their business.
Discover how coaching can help leaders leverage Danah Zohar’s principles to develop flexible, resilient, collaborative, and systemic thinking through reframing. Join Coacharya’s fireside chat on Quantum Spiritual Leadership as we celebrate International Coaching Week. Learn practical strategies from a renowned expert on May 15th, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. IST. In the meantime, do read some of Dana Zohar’s books. Space is limited, register today!
Coacharya is proud to be associated with the International Coaching Federation in celebrating the ICW. Watch this space for our speaker lineup and themes for the ICW.
Cover photo by FreePik
