Spiritual Intelligence
In defining intelligence, researchers devised the concepts IQ and EQ to account for the complex nature of human intelligence (Zohar & Marshall, 2000, p. 1). Interestingly, emerging research is highlighting the importance of a third intelligence – spiritual intelligence (SQ) (Covey, 2005:53; Daderman, Ronthy, Ekegren & Mardberg, 2013:64; Zohar et.al., 2000:3; Zohar et. al., 2004:30). SQ is the ultimate intelligence – the foundation of both IQ and EQ; the intelligence of visionary leaders like Churchill, Ghandi, and Mandela (Zohar & Marshall, 2000, p.4; Zohar, 2005, p. 46). Ronthy (2014, p.15) states that in a world governed by change, leaders need to find an inner security and the secrets to this leadership lie in a
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56). For instance, Wigglesworth defines SQ through a set of 21 skills that can be learned. Her definition requires wisdom and compassion regardless of the situation (Wigglesworth, 2012, p.447). This definition resonates with Zohar and Marshall (2004, p. 96), who refer to the word ‘spiritual’ and its meaning, ‘wisdom’. Another definition by Emmons (as cited in Chin, Anantharaman & Tong, 2011, p. 3) defines SQ as the ability to use spiritual information to solve everyday problems. Mostly, definitions offer a spiritual lens to view our world with, and connect us with our true being and life passion, our search for greater meaning (Zohar et. al., 2004, p.98). However, Zohar et. al. (2005:98), describe SQ as the soul’s intelligence that connects our lives allowing us insight into our world and organisations. A transformative definition of SQ states that it allows us to dream, visualise and connect to a meaningful purpose in life (Daderman et. al., 2013, p. 64). Since this definition has a transformative potential, it should be considered a vital component of modern leadership (Esfahani & MotamenFar, 2015, p.