For over a century, the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test has been a tool for measuring cognitive aptitude. In more recent years, researchers like Daniel Goleman have advocated for the increasing importance of other equally important intelligences, such as the Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Social Intelligence Quotient (SQ).
While we can use these to measure a person’s capabilities, in a world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), our understanding of intelligence is expanding. Beyond the limitations of IQ and the importance of EQ and SQ lies a broader concept of holistic intelligence that integrates intellectual, emotional, social, bodily (somatic) and spiritual wisdom.
In this post, we’ll discuss what holistic intelligence is, how it differs from traditional models, and why it matters. We’ll also share some practical examples of how holistic intelligence applies in everyday life.
What is holistic intelligence?
Holistic intelligence incorporates multiple dimensions of human intelligence. While IQ measures cognitive capacities, there is much more to intelligence than just being “book smart”. Holistic intelligence incorporates EQ, or “street smarts”, as well as social, physical, moral, and spiritual awareness. Therefore, it encompasses all the factors that influence how we think, feel, relate to, and act in the world.
But what does it look like? By understanding its dimensions, we can learn more:
The dimensions of holistic intelligence
Holistic Intelligence includes: Intelligence Quotient (IQ), Emotional (EQ), Social (SQ), Bodily (BQ), and Spiritual (SpQ) Intelligence. In the future, it is likely that the emphasis on IQ will decrease in a world where AI can carry out many cognitive tasks. Therefore, we’ll focus on explaining the other four below, as applying EQ, SQ, BQ and SpQ will become more critical in the years ahead.
Intelligence Quotient
The Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is a set of tests developed in the early 20th century to measure cognitive ability, which includes abstract reasoning, memory and problem-solving. These tests guided the development of educational programmes, but in recent years, they have come under scrutiny due to evidence of social and economic bias. Therefore, while measuring cognitive ability is still relevant, it’s essential to consider the complexity of a person’s intellect and environmental factors.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
EQ helps us recognise and regulate our emotions, which can help us become more resilient and find healthier ways to cope with stress. Learning more about our emotional landscape also contributes to our self-development, as it influences our decision-making, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
Social Intelligence (SQ)
Social intelligence (SQ) encompasses the ability to connect with others, communicate effectively, and build meaningful relationships. On a practical level, this links with EQ, as being able to connect socially requires us to raise our self-awareness, which includes learning how to regulate our emotions and practice empathy.
Bodily Intelligence (BQ)
Bodily intelligence (BQ) is the ability to recognise, interpret and respond to physical cues. Another term for this is somatic intelligence, which involves developing embodied awareness of all sensations. Being able to interpret sensations helps us understand what’s happening in a situation, what we need, and how to respond effectively.
BQ also focuses on regulating the nervous system, enabling us to feel safe connecting with our embodied experience. Feeling safe allows us to process any trauma we may be holding, which can separate us from our authentic selves.
Spiritual Intelligence (SpQ)
Spiritual intelligence (SpQ) is the capacity to live a life of meaning and purpose, driven by our core values. With SpQ, we can tap into our inner wisdom and cultivate compassion when life gets complicated. By developing the practice of contemplation, we can reflect on our values, purpose, and beliefs, which helps us find meaning and direction in life.
SpQ supports us in looking beyond ourselves and building resilience. Research into meditation has identified the brain structures that spiritual practices activate, thereby showing how these build healthier brains and prevent depression.
How these intelligences interact with each other
While we can cultivate each of these capacities individually, they all relate and interact with one another, enabling us to develop them concurrently. For example, cultivating a mind-body connection (BQ) can help build both EQ and SQ by increasing our awareness of how we feel and what we need, which in turn enables us to interact more compassionately and effectively with others.
By developing SpQ, we naturally cultivate self-knowledge in our quest for personal growth, which in turn influences how we interact with ourselves, thereby enhancing our EQ and BQ. When we practice contemplation (SpQ), we also naturally develop more BQ, as we become more attuned to our emotions and physical sensations.
Beyond traditional IQ and EQ models
Traditional IQ models primarily focus on assessing individuals’ performance on specific tasks. The IQ test has undergone various evolutions, but essentially, these tests focus on assessing intellectual and cognitive capacity, based on a very Western understanding of cognitive intelligence.
The limitations of these tests sparked a debate over the relative importance of emotional intelligence versus intellectual intelligence. Researchers such as Goleman and others have demonstrated the importance of considering intelligence beyond IQ, and that EQ is essential because it helps us be kinder and ultimately more effective in our relationships.
The importance of these skills has translated into EQ in education, for example, with the introduction of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programmes in schools. These types of programmes will likely become more commonplace in the years ahead, as we expand our concept of intelligence in a world where AI can carry out many cognitive tasks.
With the limitations of IQ established, as well as the importance of EQ, notice how holistic intelligence incorporates both and expands into other ways of knowing in our experience of the world.
Why does holistic intelligence matter?
By integrating our various intelligences, we can lead more balanced lives and make more informed decisions, which is relevant in both personal and professional contexts.
On a practical level, here are some examples of the relevance of holistic intelligence:
- Everyday decisions: When we can tune into multiple sources of information from our range of intelligences, we can become more constructive decision-makers.
- Relationships: With insight into our emotions and those of others, we can be more compassionate, which helps us build more fulfilling relationships.
- Conflict: With more balanced awareness of self and others from multiple perspectives, we can prevent and manage conflict more effectively.
- Leadership: Goleman’s research indicates that businesses with emotionally intelligent (and by extension, holistically intelligent) leaders tend to have greater staff retention in the long run.
- Learning: Goleman also advocates for relevant social and emotional learning in schools and beyond, as these skills lay the foundation for optimal functioning in the world.
If this topic piques your interest, SACAP Global has recently launched an online short course called Developing Holistic Intelligence: EQ & Beyond, which can help you build these skills.
FAQ
1. What is holistic intelligence and how is it different from IQ or EQ alone?
Holistic intelligence integrates all our intelligences: intellectual, emotional, social, bodily, and spiritual. It expands our self-awareness, enabling us to function more optimally. Therefore, it isn’t necessarily different from IQ and EQ; instead, it expands on them.
2. How does bodily (somatic) intelligence influence emotional regulation?
When we are attuned to our physical sensations and can accurately interpret them, we can become better at self-regulating, which helps us manage difficult emotions.
3. What role does spiritual intelligence play in modern leadership and resilience?
Spiritual intelligence helps us connect with meaning, our values and purpose, which in turn builds resilience and fosters more fulfilling relationships with others, ultimately leading to constructive leadership.
4. What are the domains of holistic intelligence covered in the SACAP Global course?
The Developing Holistic Intelligence: EQ and Beyond short course at SACAP Global explores four domains of human intelligence: emotional intelligence (EQ), social intelligence (SQ), human body (BQ) intelligence and spiritual intelligence (SpQ) and will teach you how to apply related skills in personal and professional environments.
5. Can social intelligence be learned, or is it an innate trait?
According to researcher Daniel Goleman, we can learn and enhance our emotional intelligence and social awareness, and by extension, social intelligence, at any stage of life, thanks to awareness and neuroplasticity.
6. How do these intelligences interact with each other in daily life?
Emotional, social, bodily and spiritual intelligence are all interconnected. To illustrate, when we are emotionally intelligent, we interact more effectively with others, and by being more attuned to our bodily sensations, we can further develop our emotional intelligence. If we are spiritually intelligent, we are more aware of our actions, which can translate to better social intelligence.
7. What are some real-world benefits of developing holistic intelligence?
Holistic intelligence enables individuals to become more attuned to themselves and others, yielding benefits in all aspects of society, including better decision making, conflict management and effective collaboration.
8. How is holistic intelligence relevant in the workplace?
Holistic intelligence is relevant in the workplace because it enhances self-awareness, which in turn leads to better relationships with others, a crucial factor for collaboration and building a successful business. With emotional, social, bodily and spiritual intelligence, people make better decisions, which translates into a more effective workplace.
9. What’s the connection between self-awareness and holistic intelligence?
Holistic intelligence helps a person build self-awareness by becoming more attuned to their emotions, interactions with others, physical sensations, and core values and purpose. It also fosters a deeper understanding of others and social dynamics.
10. Why is holistic intelligence important for personal growth and wellbeing?
Holistic intelligence is essential for personal growth and wellbeing because it enables you to expand beyond just focusing on cognitive tasks and managing your emotions. It can help you live more optimally and foster better relationships with others, ultimately enhancing your overall quality of life.
