Success is a Function of iLQ

The evidence is incontrovertible.
IQ is not the guarantee
of financial, academic or creative success in the real world.^[i]

The Ingredients for Success

I have yet to meet the person who does not want to be “a success” (at something).

But success is elusive despite us all chasing it…

Apart from defining success properly (as we do in an endnote^[ii]), there are two primary reasons why it is slippery:

Firstly, we must know what the right ingredients are to make success happen.
Secondly, while we might know the recipe, we must still do the hard yards—knowing is not enough, we must act!

In this week’s Note we provide the ingredients—you must decide what to do with them.

Indeed, the evidence is undeniable, there are specific behavioural attributes found in every success story —they are captured in the Influential Leadership Quotient above.

IQ (1905 and 1916)

Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon (both French psychologists) designed a test for children in school who were struggling to keep up with others.

Their “test” was designed to determine which children required individualised attention to catch up. Their method formed the basis of the modern IQ “test”.

Today the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) is widely used. It is designed for individuals aged 16 to 90. It evaluates verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed.

The Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test is an alternative, designed to reduce the influence of cultural and educational background, focusing on fluid intelligence (the ability to think abstractly, reason quickly and solve novel problems without relying on prior knowledge or experience).

Traditional IQ measures cognitive abilities, such as:

Logical reasoning – Ability to analyse and solve problems.
Pattern recognition – Identifying relationships between concepts.
Working memory – Retaining and processing information.
Problem-solving skills – Applying knowledge to new situations.
Mathematical and verbal ability – Understanding numbers and language effectively.

High IQ influences academic and technical expertise, helping individuals to excel in structured environments.

IQ tends to be inelastic, i.e., it does not change materially over time. However, it can fluctuate within a narrow range.

So, with IQ it is a case of what you get is what you have, although development at the margin is possible.

Then Along Came EQ (1990)

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) was introduced by Peter Salovey and John Mayer in 1990.

EQ is a form of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and action.^[iii]

In 1995, Daniel Goleman popularized EQ in his book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, which brought the concept into mainstream discussions on leadership and personal success.

EQ enhances interpersonal relationships, resilience and leadership capability, making it essential for career growth and personal fulfilment.
Furthermore, high EQ individuals tend to be more adaptable, better at conflict resolution, and leadership—regardless of their formal titles.
EQ can develop and evolve over time—it is malleable and can be improved through learning, intentional practice and life experiences.

EQ is not formally developed in standard educational settings.

Now There is iLQ (2020)

In brief, iLQ is the integration of IQ (cognitive ability) and EQ (social ability) into a composite capability that includes the essential factors needed to shape success.

These factors are unlikely to be foreign to our vocabulary, but they might be alien to our actions.

iLQ for Success

iLQ is a highly adaptive capability that is developed and nurtured through learning and practice (unlike IQ).

So, while we can marginally improve our IQ, we can choose to advance our iLQ as much as we want!

Therein lies a fantastic opportunity. No matter the IQ we have been dealt by the universe—it hardly matters. What matters is developing our iLQ.

If you have not yet been on the Alpha Programme, join us for the journey of your life—be equipped to shift and shape your successes.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Colin Donian
Karoo Founder & CEO
Be your best with iLQ!

Leadership Note # 2625 | 30.06.25
e: colind@karoo.world
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[i] https://www.verywellmind.com/are-people-with-high-iqs-more-successful-2795280

[ii] “Success” in the context of the Influential Leadership System is personal achievement that has productive social (group) benefits. Furthermore, the success (outcome) happens when there is alignment across intention (to accomplish something), action and the outcome. Success is manifest in three dimensions: External, Internal and Relational. It is not by accident that the iLS uses the concept of “an outcome”—the Latin root of “success” is succesus, which means “an outcome”!

[iii] https://www.emotionalintelligencecourse.com/history-of-eq/.