Positive Intelligence

About the Author

Shirzad Chamine is a distinguished author, lecturer, and executive coach whose work has influenced thousands of leaders across the globe. With a rich academic background that includes advanced degrees in electrical engineering and an MBA from Stanford, Chamine combines rigorous analytical thinking with a deep understanding of human behavior. His career has been marked by a dedication to helping others unlock their full potential, both in their professional and personal lives. His book, "Positive Intelligence," stands as a testament to his belief that the mind is both the greatest asset and the biggest obstacle to achieving true happiness and success.

Chamine’s work is rooted in the idea that our minds harbor certain mental antagonists—Saboteurs—that undermine our success and well-being. Through his coaching and writing, he provides strategies for recognizing and countering these Saboteurs by nurturing our inner Sage, the part of us that is wise, calm, and capable of navigating life’s challenges with grace and positivity.

Main Idea

The central premise of "Positive Intelligence" is that every individual has the potential to lead a happier, more successful life by increasing their Positive Intelligence Quotient (PQ). Chamine posits that the mind operates in two modes: survival and thriving. The survival mode, driven by fear and negativity, is ruled by what he calls the Saboteurs. These are mental patterns that evolved to protect us from danger but often end up causing more harm than good, leading to stress, anxiety, and self-doubt.

In contrast, the thriving mode is governed by the Sage—a part of the mind that encourages empathy, curiosity, creativity, and calmness. The Sage allows us to see opportunities in challenges and to approach life with a positive, resilient mindset. By strengthening the Sage and weakening the Saboteurs, we can improve our PQ, leading to greater personal and professional fulfillment.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Positive Intelligence
2. Understanding the Saboteurs
3. The Judge: The Chief Saboteur
4. Exploring the Other Saboteurs
5. The Sage: Your Inner Ally
6. Five Strategies for Strengthening Your Sage
7. Increasing Your Positive Intelligence Quotient (PQ)
8. Practical Exercises for Daily Improvement

Introduction to Positive Intelligence

In the opening of "Positive Intelligence," Chamine introduces the concept that all negative emotions stem from internal Saboteurs—habitual thought patterns that developed as survival mechanisms. These Saboteurs, while originally meant to protect us, now often stand in the way of our happiness and success. Chamine argues that by identifying and overcoming these Saboteurs, we can connect with our Sage, the part of our mind that leads us to wisdom and peace.

"All your stress and unhappiness is the result of antagonists in your brain—harmful patterns of thinking he calls Saboteurs—that sabotage your thinking and the way you experience life." - Shirzad Chamine

Understanding the Saboteurs

Chamine identifies ten primary Saboteurs that affect everyone to varying degrees. These include the Judge, who is the most dominant, and nine others: the Stickler, the Pleaser, the Hyper-Achiever, the Victim, the Hyper-Rational, the Hyper-Vigilant, the Restless, the Controller, and the Avoider. Each Saboteur has its own set of behaviors and thought patterns that undermine our well-being.