The Evolution Of Leadership Intelligence

The demand for effective leadership is at an all-time high as we move through times of rapid change and uncertainty. According to a recent Korn Ferry study, many companies are concerned about not having the right leaders in place or a sufficient pipeline of talent.

The research conducted by DDI in their 2021 Global Leadership Forecast reported similar findings, with 89% of surveyed companies stating they do not have a ‘strong’ or ‘very strong’ leadership bench, reflecting the lowest ratings over the past 10 years.

The shortage is not of individuals in leadership roles, it’s having the right individuals in those roles. Studies have shown that the skills and intelligence it takes to be an effective leader have evolved, along with how intelligence is generally defined.

The original meaning of intelligence dates back to the 14th century, when it was broadly defined as ‘the highest faculty of the mind’ and the ‘capacity to comprehend general truths.’

It wasn’t until 1905 that Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon introduced a more abbreviated meaning through the creation of their Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale. This in turn led to Lewis Terman’s adaptation of the scale and the creation of the broadly recognized intelligent quotient (IQ).