This post is a work-in-progress, and currently addresses 2024 program details. The FAQ covers the course structure, fees & guarantees, testimonials, how to enroll, defining a POD & how to manage it, and other topics. If you see anything you’d like me to further clarify, or if you have additional questions, drop me a line at rachel@glocalconsultantsgroup.com
What is PQ or PI or Positive Intelligence? Centuries of wisdom, insights from four branches of science and hundreds of interviews with top performers in business and athletics were distilled into the New York Times Bestseller book Positive Intelligence: : Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential AND HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOURS . Its author, Shirzad Chamine, is former CEO of CTI, the largest coach-training organization in the world; a preeminent C-suite advisor; former CEO of an enterprise software company. His background includes PhD studies in neuroscience in addition to a BA in psychology, an MS in electrical engineering, and an MBA from Stanford, where he lectures.
Positive Intelligence (PQ) measures the percentage of time your mind is serving you as opposed to sabotaging you. While your IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence) contribute to your maximum potential, it is your PQ that determines how much of that potential you actually achieve. The great news is that you can improve your PQ significantly in as little as 21 days.
And this whole process of recognizing our saboteurs, and building our mental muscles, to stay in or quickly get back to our sage, is called mental fitness – our ability to respond to circumstances and people with a positive vs negative mindset.
Does this actually help? Who says so? (Testimonials from people and companies you’ve probably heard of)
“Positive Intelligence can change your life and transform your business. A real game-changer.”
—James D. White, Chairman and CEO, Jamba Juice
“Positive Intelligence ranks in the top three most influential business books I have ever read. If I could give only one book to the thousands of team members in my organization to enhance their performance, it would be this book.”
—Lisa Stevens, Region President, Wells Fargo Bank
“I’ve worked closely with Shirzad and experienced him walking the PQ walk. Most change initiatives fizzle because of our mental “Saboteurs.” Shirzad gives us the tools to conquer them and create positive change that lasts. This is a must-read for any individual or team serious about unleashing peak performance.”
—Dean Morton, former COO, Hewlett-Packard (HP)
“Shirzad delivers a simple, doable, groundbreaking set of exercises that can help you develop your ‘performance’ muscles, increase your PQ score, and gain access to previously untapped mental resources. Working out was never so rewarding or so much fun! So if you’re ready to get even better, get this book—today.”
—Marshall Goldsmith, New York Times bestselling author, Mojo and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
“Developing a personal leadership model is one of the most practical, energy-saving, and stress-reducing things that anyone can do for themselves. Leaders at every level can use the PQ approach to get, and stay, on a more ‘winning’ trajectory. This is such a usable, lively, and compelling book.”
—Douglas R. Conant, former CEO, Campbell Soup Company, and New York Times bestselling author
“ I have worked with Shirzad personally and seen him work with many other Presidents and CEOs. His impact is often game-changing for a team and life-changing for the individuals. Positive Intelligence is a must-have for anyone who leads or coaches a team.”
—Jed York, President and CEO, San Francisco 49ers
“The PQ model provides a solid basis for bringing meaning and significant change to one’s life. If you want to create major positive change in yourself, your team, or loved ones, read this book.”
—Crittenden E. Brookes, MD, PhD, Stanford University, and Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
“Working with Shirzad has had a profound impact on me. The tools and techniques to raise PQ are simple, concrete and pragmatic, yet incredibly effective. They help me remain focused on what truly matters and grounded amidst the swirl of daily life. This book is a gift. Make sure you share it.
–Jim Lanzone, President, CBS Interactive (CBS Corporation)
Nice to read those people’s words, but what’s the evidence of need and/or impact?
If your hyper-rational saboteur needs a boost before enrolling, check out these resources:
- Shirzad Chamine, PQ ® Founder, speaks at Google, on the TED stage , and I can share a few slides from his YPO keynote.
- Whitepaper on the neuroscience of Positive Intelligence®
- the rest of this FAQ 🙂
How is the program structured? This is a human-guided, app-supported, science-based program designed to distill and offer insight, but more importantly, to build the practices that actually rewire the neural pathways and shift us to better habits. As I wrote in a recent newsletter, the program is based on the research, insights, and (deceptively simple & extremely powerful) framework of Positive Intelligence®️, and designed to integrate into busy lives. For 8 weeks, we commit to 15 minutes mental exercise each weekday (app-supported) + a one-hour video each weekend + a 45-60 minute meeting each week (and some online community discussion). I also include one or two 1:1 coaching session with each participant discussing their saboteurs profile, and/or applying the PQ model to their specific challenges. None of the elements are mandatory, but those who (watch the videos and) participate in the POD meetings are 5x more likely to cement the learnings and evolve their habits.
All of these components are designed so you can have the support as you literally reprogram your neural pathways defaults to wiser responses. The weekly meetings are fun, safe, confidential, and make the concepts real. This program is designed to not only create insight, but when participants do the work, it builds the “mental muscles” to act on that insight and shift to healthier habits. In other words, this program increases your PQ, the percentage of time your mind is serving you as opposed to sabotaging you.
Ok interesting, but I am in [name your country or distant city]… Our meetings are on zoom and organized around time zones. So, technology relieves us of those geographic challenges for meetings. Further, the videos and exercises can be accessed through the app (or website), at a time that is convenient to you.
What is a POD? It’s a small group, that supports each other, holds each other accountable, and shares reflections and learning, throughout the program. PODs are 3-8 people each- a nice balance of energy and participation of all. We have a weekly meeting during the program, have a communication channel just for our little group, as well as one for everyone around the world taking the program at the same time.
Typically a POD is made up of work-team members, or family members, or colleagues from a networking group. Sometimes these small groups include people who don’t know each other, but have some things in common. Note, in these groups, everyone is doing the work on their own saboteurs, not analyzing each others’. Everyone listens and participates in a strictly confidential, safe, and supportive environment. And everyone is encouraged to go 10% beyond their comfort zone, because learning is at the edge of our comfort zone, and the purpose is growth, not overwhelm. That 10% beyond comfort zone looks different for different people. It’s fun to be in groups with diverse backgrounds, because we learn from each others insights and learning.
Who is in my POD? Can I choose my POD? Generally the small group which meets weekly, aka your POD, consists of workmates, or family members, colleagues from a networking association, or friends. Sometimes these small groups include people who don’t know each other, but have some things in common. Either way, everyone is doing their own work, channels & benefits from mutual support and strict confidentiality, and learns from others’ reflections.
If you have a group and would like to take the course together, wonderful! We love it when groups come pre-formed. When everyone has enrolled, send me a list of the names, email addresses, and your POD/team name, and I will set-up our online messaging and weekly meetings accordingly.
Can you tell me more details about the program & time management, and how I fit it into my schedule? During the “bootcamp” portion (the first 7 weeks), a video on the week’s topic is released every Saturday. You can watch that video (always about 1 hour) anytime on the weekend, through the app or via the website. We typically have the POD meeting sometime Monday, or Sunday evening, and occasionally on Tuesday (depending on what works for the group), and via zoom.
During the week, Tuesday – Friday, the app will cue you for a few, 2-3 minute exercises throughout the day. This can feel like an interruption, and it is to give you practice in interrupting and shifting your thought patterns. It is literally developing your mental muscles and reprogramming your neural pathways, helping you evolve your default responses.
At the end of the day, there is a journal Q. Some people respond with one-line, others write several paragraphs; do what you feel called to, and what your time allows. Ultimately, you will average 15-20 minutes of mental fitness exercises each day of the week + 1 hour video on the weekend (use the exercises in the gym, or rest) + POD meeting early in the week = 2-4 hours/week. When you have questions, you can post them in our communication channels or write me directly.
When should I enroll? I run the mental fitness foundations program 4x per year. You can enroll up to the day of orientation, however, I recommend you enroll a week or so early, so you have the chance to download and play with the app, gain immediate access to some of the mental exercises, and maybe even glance over and start listening to the audiobook that is included — the New York Times Bestseller “Positive Intelligence” by Shirzad Chamine. Most read/listen to the book before to prepare; some after to consolidate. It is an enjoyable and enlightening read, whenever you choose to check it out. And I am so sure that you will find this course deeply impactful, that I have a 14-day, money-back guarantee. Check out some of Glocal’s testimonials at the bottom of the home page.
You will receive a receipt as soon as your payment goes through, and will receive an email welcoming you into the program and the app, within 2 business days. This email will also include some hints on how to explore the app and program, to set you up for success. Fyi, we batch the enrollments 2x per week.
How do I enroll? You can check the courses page for the start date that works best for you. Read the course description, choose the number of people you are enrolling, and pay via bank transfer (2% discount from credit card transactions) to Glocal Consultants Group, LLC routing #125109019 acct #875101899578. Credit card processing is available as well, and is done by a third-party, which is fully PCI compliant. We see none of your private information, but can make adjustments to charges when necessary.
*If you are interested in offering the program to employees at your business, contact us for a lunch & learn, half-day workshop, and/or special pricing for a customized program.
You will receive a receipt as soon as your payment goes through, and will receive an email welcoming you into the program and the supporting app, within 2 business days. This email will also include some hints on how to explore the app and program, to set you up for success.
Fees, guarantees, and what is included: The 8 week program, includes the app with daily exercises and weekly videos, a weekly meeting and some ongoing communication, the Positive Intelligence®️ audio-book and first eight chapters of the (written) book, plus one 45-minute 1:1 session with each participant mid program discussing their saboteurs profile. This costs USD 2000/person, partial scholarships are sometimes available.
Get in touch directly for special pricing for i)students & youth (generally 14 years old and up), or ii) multiple-enrollment, corporate-pricing.
I know you will find this course as deeply impactful as I did. And I am so sure of that, that I am happy to offer a 14-day money-back guarantee. Do check out some of the testimonials at the home page.
All credit card processing is done by a third-party, which is fully PCI compliant, and we see none of your private information, but can make adjustments to charges if/when necessary.
You will receive a receipt soon after your payment goes through, and will receive an email welcoming you into the program and the app, within 2 business days. This email will also include some hints on how to explore the app and program, to set you up for success.
Is there special pricing for businesses, students, or me/us? If you are interested in offering the program to employees at your business, contact us for a lunch & learn, half-day saboteurs workshop, and/or special pricing for a customized program.
We have discount codes for youth and students (glocalstudent50), and special pricing for multiple-enrollment, corporate-pricing. Occasionally we have sales, as in the last two programs of 2023, our first times sharing this more widely. And occasionally we offer partial scholarships.
If you think you might qualify for special pricing, or you have any further questions, get in touch via email or book a free quick call/zoom, and we’re happy to discuss it and figure something out.
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