Why being ‘smart’ isn’t enough to land a job in South Africa

A high Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is often seen as a critical indicator of potential personal and professional success, but other factors must be considered.

Social Quotient (SQ) and Cultural Quotient (CQ) are emerging as additional factors when hiring and promoting candidates.

“Modern understanding recognises the crucial roles the various intelligences play in determining how effectively one navigates your educational and career journey,” said Talita van Wyk, Head of Programme at The Independent Institute of Education.

IQ measures cognitive abilities like logical reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills. 

EQ, or emotional intelligence, measures one’s ability to understand and manage one’s emotions and those of others.

High AQ (Adaptability Quotient) looks at qualities like resilience, flexibility, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

“While IQ, along with AQ and EQ, remain important qualities, our unique environment means that SQ and CQ are increasingly significant differentiators in the employment arena, and therefore, individuals should also endeavour to develop these intelligences when building their personal brands,” said Van Wyk.

SQ refers to the ability to navigate social interaction and build strong relationships. It involves empathy, effective communication, and influencing and inspiring others.

CQ is the capability to relate and work effectively across cultures – locally and internationally.

“While each quotient individually contributes to professional success, their interplay is what truly sets top performers apart.”

“For instance, a manager with high IQ and EQ can devise strategic solutions and motivate their team. However, without SQ, they might struggle to build trust and rapport, and without CQ, they could face challenges in a multicultural team.”

Professionals who excel in SQ and CQ are also better equipped to handle the complexities of the a modern workplace due to other skills in managing and working within diverse teams.

These skills are increasingly valued as organisations recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion for innovation and growth.

“The good news is that both SQ and CQ, together with the other intelligences, can be developed over time – particularly as awareness of these important qualities grow.”

“CQ involves understanding, respecting, and adapting to cultural differences to work effectively across diverse cultural contexts. It evaluates an individual’s capability to function effectively in culturally diverse settings.”

“A high SQ score is correlated with social awareness, that is, the ability to understand and interpret social cues and dynamics within different groups or environments.”

Its value arises from the ability to build and maintain healthy and productive relationships through effective communication and conflict resolution,” she says.

Van Wyk notes that while AQ, SQ, and CQ are relatively recently recognised traits, they are not stand-alone individual traits but rather are interconnected with IQ and EQ. 

Not the first time

As per the conversation, research on the National Rural Youth Service Corps from Professor Alexis Habiyaremye, Chijioke Nwosu, and Thomas Habanabakize noted that soft skills are incredibly important for getting a job in South Africa. 

Soft skills relate to one’s attributes, allowing individuals to work with others and apply to most types of employment.

The researchers noted that improving soft skills, including problem-solving, networking, and leadership skills, was essential in getting a job.

Soft skills were also crucial for those who started their business and proved far more important than technical skills.

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