Former PE Investor & CEO // Current PE Advisor // Author // 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘗𝘌-𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
The most effective PE-backed leaders aren't just smart (IQ) and emotionally intelligent (EQ). They also have high Situational Quotient--SQ. It's the ability to: → Read the room → Understand what's REALLY going on → Adapt your leadership style to deliver what's needed Leading a PE-backed company means navigating constant change and complex demands. This environment is nothing if not dynamic: • Markets shift • Investor priorities shift • Team dynamics change • Growth targets escalate • Board expectations evolve • Customer demands evolve • M&A opportunities emerge ...sometimes all in the same week :) In this environment, IQ and EQ are important... but they aren't enough. Situational intelligence is a must-have. Here's the good news: SQ can be developed. But here's the bad news: Most MBA and leadership programs overlook it. This is one of the reasons why helping leaders build SQ is such a big point of emphasis in our Ascend leadership accelerator. Enrollment is open for our upcoming Spring group now. Details in the comments. ⬇️
“Situational intelligence” is a great way to frame this. But in high-stakes environments, reading the room isn’t enough; you also have to know who wrote the script and who’s directing the play. So much of leadership isn’t just about reacting to change, it’s about understanding the power dynamics shaping it. The real game isn’t always the one being played in the open.
Love this. Incredibly important and can’t necessarily be taught.
I love this perspective! I recently wrote a blog about IQ + EQ + HQ (Hustle Quotient)—the ability to push ideas forward and stay resilient through setbacks. SQ (Skill Quotient) is just as crucial, refining our expertise to execute effectively. Success isn’t just about intelligence or effort—it’s about mastering the full equation.
SQ is a new one for me. I love the idea of "reading the room" coupled with “asking the right questions” Dan Cremons
Former PE Investor & CEO // Current PE Advisor // Author // 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘗𝘌-𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
18hhttps://dancremons.mykajabi.com/ascend-leadership-accelerator