Success isn’t just about IQ—schools must nurture all intelligences to help children thrive, says Jonathan Hughes D’Aeth, Former Headmaster of Milton Abbey School, UK and Repton School, Dubai
In an analytics-driven era, we often prioritise what can be measured—especially IQ.
But true success depends on a balance of intelligences, including emotional, physical, and spiritual.
Schools and communities must foster all these skills to prepare children for future challenges.
The value of what can’t be measured
The most important things in life cannot be quantified. Despite centuries of study, no one has devised a reliable measure for love, wonder, compassion, empathy, or creativity.
Yet, in today’s data-driven world, society (and education) is increasingly focused on what can be measured—often at the expense of what cannot.
Schools, in particular, excel at assessing Intelligence Quotient (IQ) but struggle to measure the other vital intelligences that shape a child’s success and fulfilment in life.
We know that a high IQ does not guarantee success beyond the exam hall. Other forms of intelligence play a crucial role, including:
- PQ (Physical Quotient) – Our ability to develop, maintain, and use our physical bodies.
- EQ (Emotional Quotient) – Our self-awareness, empathy, and ability to connect with others.
- SQ (Spiritual Quotient) – Our sense of meaning, awe, and connection to something greater.
A balance and variation of these intelligences is essential. After all, even the brightest minds can fail if they cannot communicate, collaborate, or lead.
The power of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand, manage, and express emotions effectively.
It allows individuals to read social cues, build relationships, and navigate challenges with resilience.
Yet, opportunities to develop EQ are shrinking in a world increasingly dominated by screens and data points.
So, how can schools and families nurture it?
The answer is simple: face-to-face interaction.
Children develop emotional awareness by engaging with others, observing body language, reading facial expressions, and responding to social cues in real-time.
A child raised in a community that values emotional intelligence will learn the skills to communicate, collaborate, and empathise.
Early Years education plays a critical role. Through play, children learn to share, cooperate, and build friendships.
Structured games teach teamwork, resilience, and the ability to win or lose graciously.
The arts—music, drama, literature—help students explore emotions, while sports encourage discipline, perseverance, and trust.
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A balanced education for a changing world
The essential role of schools is to work with children and their families to ensure that all of these different aptitudes are fully stretched and developed within a caring and supportive community.
Physical Education, Art, Music, and Drama must be valued alongside Maths, Science, and Languages.
By exposing students to various experiences, schools can ensure children develop the skills needed for academic and personal success.
The future will demand more than knowledge and technical ability. It will require adaptability, empathy, and emotional resilience.
AI may be changing how we learn and work, but we remain social beings. Young people must learn to navigate relationships, collaborate effectively, and manage emotions to thrive.
Emotional Intelligence may be hard to measure, but we know it when we see it.
And now, more than ever, the world needs it.
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