This tool is rooted in a tool I introduced back in November, “The Core” along with various tools I’ve introduced recently regarding “The 5 Voices.” The Core is about a leader’s core health at the integration of IQ (Intellectual Quotient), EQ (Emotional Quotient) and PQ (Personality Quotient/self-awareness). A mature and healthy leader is one who has developed and integrated these intelligences at the core of who they are.
If I engage all people merely from IQ, there are many others I will fail to connect with. It’s like the proverb, “One with a hammer thinks everything is a nail.” The result of this is that I will fail to have sustainable, healthy influence and ultimately will fail to accomplish what I’m trying to accomplish. People may appreciate my knowledge, but they won’t necessarily want to be around me or actually receive what I have to offer.
Knowing others to lead them is equally important. Not everyone is a nail. The principle of “Knowing others to lead others” emphasizes the importance of grasping the Core elements of IQ, EQ and PQ in those around you. Understanding these intelligences along with The 5 Voices previously introduced are extremely helpful, not only in learning about oneself and others, but helping oneself and others expand and grow.
Identifying your own tendencies and intelligence “preference” allows you to work on improving both. Similarly, it can help you identify these things in those you lead. Perhaps someone on your team has a Guardian voice, they tend to rely primarily on their IQ in their interactions with others and you know their tendencies are X, Y, and Z. If you have established trust with them, in that they really know you are fighting for their highest good, you can serve them by discussing with them what you see and finding a pathway forward for them in their development. Building this trust and demonstrating your commitment to their growth is the essence of knowing others to lead others.
Understanding the personalities and tendencies of individuals you lead is pivotal for effective leadership. By analyzing the differences of those on your team and utilizing models like the five voices model and the Core Tool(s), you can discern the needs of your team members and guide them effectively. Addressing their specific tendencies and nurturing their growth demonstrates a commitment to their development, fostering trust and receptiveness to guidance.
Identifying opportunities for individual growth, both in expanding IQ through skill acquisition and in enhancing EQ by addressing self-sabotaging behaviors, is vital for your own development and for the development of those you lead. By capitalizing on these opportunities and guiding team members towards growth, leaders contribute to expanding the core of individuals, allowing them to evolve into their desired selves.
If leaders embody an intentional mindset of fighting for the highest possible good of others, they can effectively lead by example, nurturing the personality, emotional intelligence and intellectual capacities of their team. This approach fosters personal growth, development, and mutual success, culminating in a harmonious and thriving work environment where individuals are empowered to reach their full potential.
Where does your “core” reside? Where is it under developed? How about the core of each of the individuals on your team? Do you know? We can help.