Expert reveals the forgotten third ‘Q’ beyond IQ and EQ — and why it matters most
While not everyone is capable of cultivating character intelligence, it isn't impossible.
IQ stands for "intelligence quotient," and EQ stands for "emotional quotient." Both are important for overall development. But we often forget "character intelligence," an equally crucial factor for long-term success. Patrick Dickerson, a cultural strategist, shares what it is and the three top skills that build it. He explained that IQ is what we are aware of, while EQ is how we feel or respond to a situation, but character intelligence is who we are, especially during challenging times. Dickerson noted that while not everyone is capable of cultivating character intelligence, it isn't impossible. You can find his interview on KSL News.
When we're exhausted and burnt out, we tend to do things we shouldn't and later blame it on our situation. Though Dickerson said it's very natural for a human to react that way, no excuse could justify their response. "Pressure doesn't create character; it reveals it," he said. Dickerson continued, saying character intelligence is the very moment someone takes a minute to respond to a situation. "It's being responsive over being reactive; it's tone over tension," he added. After an exhausting day at work, if you come home to loud noises and constant disturbance, you may feel like shouting at the top of your voice, but it's your character intelligence that restricts you from acting that way. But are people born with character intelligence, or do they cultivate it over time? Well, Dickerson broke down three soft skills that foster character intelligence. "The good news? Yes, we can absolutely learn it, it's learned, and earned. But the bad news is that it doesn't come naturally," he explained. First important skill to strengthen character intelligence or build it is "self-regulation," Dickerson mentioned.
He explained it's not about perfection, but the intentional pause before reacting to something; it's the pause we take to question whether our response is good enough. "It's taking that breath... and pause is really that key," he said. The second most important thing on his list is "integrity." Dickerson explained it's important that we consistently act how we should, even when it's difficult to maintain our calm. Last but not least, he added "personal accountability," something Dickerson described as an important step in building character intelligence. He said it's good to be aware of your actions and to realize if you've made a mistake. But saying sorry doesn't solve everything. One has to intentionally take steps towards rectifying their mistakes.
Scientific studies have found that people who do not react immediately to a situation tend to respond better. For instance, researchers studied a group of students while they solved mathematical problems. In the end, they found that a longer pause time before attempting a sum was associated with "more efficient problem-solving strategies." In fact, they found that students who paused longer took fewer steps to solve a problem, and they could solve more on their first attempt. Moreover, the same research found that students with longer pause times reattempted sums less frequently. This explains what Dickerson explained. Taking a moment to evaluate, assess, and question your approach to a situation or challenge can actually solve the problem better.
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