A New Way of Being Smart

A few days ago I had the opportunity to meet with a group of friends as well as the author of book that was released on September 15th. The Author is Steve Saccone and his book is titled “Relational Intelligence” with the subtitle that reads, “How Leaders Can Expand Their Influence Through a New Way of Being Smart.” Before the group meet with Steve we each read an advanced proof copy of his work to prepare for our time together as well as to stimulate dialog.  Our time with Steve was well served and I thought I would tell you a bit about the book. 

Steve defines the long standing syndrome of “…leaders who remain completely unaware of his (or her) own contradictory philosophies, offensive insecurities, and oblivious way…” as the Michael Scott Syndrome. This use of culturally iconic humor helped open the doorway to my heart and allowed me to take an inward look into how I relate to family, friends, co-workers and the great people I lead.

After addressing the origins of relational intelligence he offers his readers six defining roles of RI and a plan of “…maximizing those relational genius qualities…” Steve writes from personal relational experience citing many real life examples and makes his assertions in concert with his study of relational intelligence which make for a well informed reader.

The six defining roles of a relational genius are… The Story Collector, The Energy Carrier, The Compelling Relator, The Conversational Futurists, The Likeable Hero and The Disproportionate Investor. After reading each section I was blessed to recount the people in my life who have served me in each of the roles.  The good memories of these people and the feelings attached to my experience with them as they helped me grow, helped to inform my relational blind spots and I am better for it.

Steve is convinced and I think rightly so that every person has a relational quotient referred to as the RQ. The good news when it comes to RQ unlike the popular thinking about IQ is that you can for lack of a better term, “score higher” in relational intelligence over time if you apply the principles or RI in the context of ongoing relational interactions. The purpose of relational intelligence is to encourage, uplift and help those we interact with to grow as people and to better represent Jesus Christ in our interaction with people daily.

If you engage this quest to become more self-aware, you’ll hurt people less, help people more, and create a distinctly more positive relational culture around you.                          -Steve Saccone, Relational Intelligence

Steve Saccone, a campus pastor at Mosaic in Los Angeles is the genuine article.  I would give Steve high marks in relational intelligence for his ability to relate to my unruly friends in our interactive session this week.  Steve is in the top 1%! As a side note the forward was written by author, speaker and pastor Erwin Raphael McManus.

If you love people and are willing to take the risks involved in loving them more you should read “Relational Intelligence.” you will find it endearing, informative and educational, it will be an advancement in your relational context.

by Seth Godin

A friend of mine grabbed me by the arm a few months back and looked me right in the eyes and said “you need to read Tribes” a book by Seth Godin. I remembered Seth from his book Purple Cow several years ago and thought I would give Tribes a read.

Seth Godin is witty and pithy and offers insight into business, organizational dynamics and personal leadership at all levels of life. He encourages his readers to understand their personal potential and the power they have for leading others from any position in the pack.  Anyone who does not conform to an established attitude, doctrine, or principle is a heretic and Seth concludes that being a heretic in any organization, business, field of study, or community group, (all called tribes) sets you up to be the leader of the future.  I believe that Seth would say that this generation’s heretics will go on to be the next generation’s Saints. Risk is involved in leading any tribe Seth warns, but the benefits to the tribs selfless leader are always shared with the tribes followers. If you are a grandma who gardens, a doctor who dances, a student who serves the community or  you have a passion for any area of life, Seth Says,

We Need You to Lead Us

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book.

Leading from the Bottom pg.19  “We hesitate because it feels like something we need to be ordained to do.”

Leaning In, Backing Off, Doing Nothing pg.59 “The one path that never works is the most common one: do nothing at all.

Faith Is What You Do pg. 84 “When you lead without compensation, when you sacrifice without guarantees, when you risk because you believe, then you are demonstrating your faith in the tribe and its mission.”

Watching the Music Business Die pg. 94 “The best time to change your business model is while you still have momentum.”

I freely recommend Tribes as good reading and thought provoking. Pick up a copy today. Also thanks to my friend Steve for recommending the book to me.

May who you are be worth following. Be electric.

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