
IQ + EQ + SQ: The formula behind evolving your leadership in 2025
- Categories Key things to help you everyday
- Date January 24, 2025
With Christmas decorations packed away and holiday memories fading, now is the time to set meaningful intentions for the year ahead.
“Emotions are a critical source of information for learning.” – Joseph Ledoux
This insight serves as a reminder of the multi-dimensional nature of leadership – which in today’s world transcends task management.
Leadership is about building authentic connections, inspiring personal and collective growth, and leaving a lasting, positive impact. To truly thrive as leaders, we must nurture not only our IQ (Intelligence Quotient) but also cultivate our EQ (Emotional Intelligence) and SQ (Social Intelligence).
Lets take a closer look at these Qs.
The Three Pillars of Leadership Intelligence
- IQ – The Foundation of Competence
IQ, your ‘intelligence quotient’, represents cognitive abilities. This is your capacity to learn, understand, and solve problems. It provides the foundation for knowledge, decision-making, and strategic thinking. On its own, IQ is insufficient to define impactful leadership. - EQ – The Heart of Leadership
Emotional Intelligence is what makes a leader relatable, trustworthy, and inspirational. Leaders with high EQ understand and manage their own emotions while also recognising and responding to the emotions of others. This creates stronger relationships, a more engaged team, and a positive workplace culture. - SQ – The Power of Connection
Social Intelligence is about how well you navigate relationships, build networks, and foster teamwork. A leader who masters SQ creates an environment where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute their best.
While the three Qs are all part of the leadership formula – they are not all created equal. Research suggests when it comes to leadership, EQ is the key differentiator.
“In a very real sense we have two minds, one that thinks and one that feels” ― Daniel Goleman.
Daniel Goleman, psychologist and author who popularised the concept of EQ in leadership, highlights in his book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ that EQ accounts for nearly 90% of the difference between high performers and their peers in leadership roles. His research emphasizes that leaders with high EQ are more adept at building trust, inspiring teams, and fostering positive organisational cultures.
Developing your emotional intelligence will not only enhance your leadership but also create a positive ripple effect throughout your entire village community.
To strengthen your EQ, consider these strategies:
- Identify Your Emotions – Regularly pause to assess how you feel and why, especially before or after a tough situation. Self-awareness is the first step toward emotional mastery.
- Listen to Understand – Go beyond words and tune into the emotions behind them. Show genuine interest in others’ perspectives.
- Be Empathetic – Imagine yourself in another’s position. Understanding their challenges builds stronger relationships.
- Mitigate Anxiety – In tough moments, take a breath before reacting. A calm, thoughtful response fosters trust and stability.
Looking Ahead: The Emotional Intelligence Series in 2025
Throughout the year, we will explore the nuances of Emotional Intelligence in greater depth. This series will help you not only understand your own emotional landscape but also gain insight into what drives the emotions of those around you. The goal? To empower you to lead with authenticity and compassion.
As you contemplate your leadership journey, ask yourself: Who is a leader you deeply admire, and what made them stand out? The answers may hold valuable clues for refining your own leadership approach in 2025.
“Leadership is not domination, but the art of persuading people to work toward a common goal.” – Daniel Goleman
Make this the year you invest in your EQ and witness the transformative impact it can have on your teams, your village community, and yourself.
Author
-
A versatile learning and development specialist, Natasha brings her global experience to the DCM Institute. With a focus is on collaborating with key stakeholders in the seniors living sector to create lifelong learning experiences, Natasha is well-equipped to adapt to different modalities of learning and professional development. Natasha’s career spans across vocational education and training, in both non-profit and corporate environments.
View all posts
Tag:Leadership, Management
A versatile learning and development specialist, Natasha brings her global experience to the DCM Institute. With a focus is on collaborating with key stakeholders in the seniors living sector to create lifelong learning experiences, Natasha is well-equipped to adapt to different modalities of learning and professional development.
Natasha’s career spans across vocational education and training, in both non-profit and corporate environments.
You may also like

The ‘not so’ hidden costs of scope creep
