Before I read David Gruder’s The New IQ How Integrity Intelligence Serves You, Your Relationships and Our World I was completely clueless as to what was IQ integrity.
After digesting Gruder’s astute perceptions, I have to admit that he definitely is onto something worthy of consideration.
According to Gruder, integrity is not a vague and abstract notion but rather a practical and action-oriented way of life. In fact, most of us would have difficulty in grasping the concept unless it is pointed out to us. Although, as mentioned, there are exceptions where some individuals are gifted natural developers who seem to have the knack of naturally knowing how to free themselves from their baggage and mature into effective, empowered, authentic, creative, loving, service-oriented, integrity-oriented adults. And they are quite good at manifesting their intentions.
In other words, they have the good fortune of being born with one of the most important forms of intelligence that aid them in developing more effectively and efficiently than the rest of us.
However, such is not the case for the majority of us and we are termed, according to Gruder, “deliberate developers” who must learn the art of integrated development. This basically is the nitty-gritty of what The New IQ How Integrity Intelligence Serves You, Your Relationships and Our World is all about as Gruder paves the way in showing his readers how to attain this goal.
From the onset of the book, Gruder informs his readers that Integrity comprises three fundamental core drives: authenticity, connection and impact, and as we are informed, understanding them turns integrity from some vague notion into a practical necessity. Understanding how to align these three core drives will enable us to experience true fulfillment that will lead to satisfying and effective relationships and will make the world a better place. In essence, “Integrity is the wholeness that comes when we are fully authentic as an individual, compassionate and effective co-creators with others, and servants of collective highest good. The essence of integrity is this three-dimensional alignment.”
This primer not only examines in depth how to recognize and understand these three core drives but also to learn how to put them to work in our everyday lives.
As revealed, we are a three-dimensional self and there are significant consequences when we are less than our three-dimensional self. Unfortunately, today there exists a lack of integrity that has caused a great deal of damage. As Gruder mentions, if we only focus on one aspect of our 3D self at the expense of either or both of the other aspects, we cannot have personal fulfillment and furthermore our relationships suffer as we become selfish in the world and our integrity suffers. Conflicts among our three core drives are responsible for many of the personal, relationship and leadership problems of today such as the shady lending practices to the disastrous questions about President Bush’s handling of the affairs pertaining to Iraq and Iran.
Gruder is a passionate and dedicated writer with a straightforward and knowledgeable voice who is able to effectively communicate his ideas in an inspiring manner. Some may find the advice too simplistic and artificial, however this is its greatest strength with its user-friendliness and clarity in helping us comprehend what integrity is all about.
As for his qualifications, they are impeccable. Gruder holds a doctorate in clinical psychology with a secondary emphasis in organizational development. He is Executive Director of Willingness Works® in Del Mar California and he lectures, trains and consults worldwide in Personal Relationship & Leadership Integrity Development. He has provided negotiation skills training to ambassadors and other delegates to the World Trade Organization through a project that was co-sponsored by South Center in Geneva, Switzerland, Switzerland and Action Aid in Pakistan. His first print book Sensible Self-Help was the recipient of two book awards, including Colliers 1997 Manual Health Book of the Year.
No doubt, this is the kind of book you will want to read and dip back in from time-to-time for a quick refresher in helping us rethink our everyday behavior in order to shape our lives.
The above review was contributed by: The Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com, Norm Goldman, B.A. LL.L, Retired Title Attorney: Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily, the couple meld Norm's words with Lily's art. To check out their travel site click on Sketchandtravel.comClick here to view Norm’s Reviews & Interviews.
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