Podcast 1295: Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired by Yosi Amram

In this podcast, Greg welcomes back Yosi Amram, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist, CEO leadership coach, and award-winning author whose background spans from an elite Israeli military sergeant major to an MIT and Harvard-educated tech CEO. His life took a radical, life-altering turn on a massage table when, after leading two companies through successful IPOs, he experienced a spontaneous spiritual awakening that "blew a fuze" in his mind. This traumatic catalyst—which initially led to him being pushed out of his own organization—inspired Yosi to pioneer research into Spiritual Intelligence (SI).

He views SI as the critical missing piece for leaders who have conquered the moon and the genome but still face soaring rates of anxiety, loneliness, and polarization. This isn't about escaping to a cave in India; it is a "middle way" where the divine meets the boardroom to reveal spiritual sparks in everything we do. Yosi breaks down his research-backed framework—cited over 1,000 times—to show how "ego-looseness" and intuitive leadership are powerful drivers of massive financial performance and collective well-being.

Why Spiritual Intelligence is the New Bottom Line

For decades, the corporate world relied solely on IQ to measure potential. Later, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) taught us to manage our emotional resources. However, Yosi Amram, PhD argues that Spiritual Intelligence is the final frontier. SI is the ability to draw on, cultivate, and embody spiritual resources—such as purpose, service, and integrity—to enhance our daily lives and well-being.

The results are not just philosophical; they are measurable. Research shows that leaders with high spiritual intelligence produce better financial results for their business units, and banks with higher SI among employees see a better return on assets. Furthermore, inspired employees are twice as productive as those who are merely satisfied with their jobs.

The Seven Dimensions of the SI Framework

Through research interviewing 71 teachers across the world's major traditions, Yosi identified universal virtues that cluster into seven domains:

• ✦Meaning and Purpose: Mobilizing a sense of "why we are here" and who we are serving.
• ✦Grace: Cultivating qualities like gratitude, joy, and beauty to multiply motivation.
• ✦Community: Building shared intention and alignment so energy is multiplicative rather than divisive.
• ✦Presence: Bringing full attention and intention to the moment despite an "ADHD culture".
• ✦Truth: Leading with honesty and "ego-looseness"—prioritizing what is right over being right.
• ✦Wisdom: Tapping into inner knowing and intuition to guide high-stakes decision-making.
• ✦Inner-Directedness: Following an inner compass and "North Star" rather than external validation.

Forging Leadership in the Heat of Adversity

One of the most compelling parts of Yosi's story is the role of struggle. He points to historical giants like Lincoln, Gandhi, and MLK, who all experienced profound struggles. Yosi believes that "metal is forged in the heat". When a leader’s ego is "cracked" by failure, they have the opportunity to move from being driven by external markers like fame and status to being driven by internal integrity.

Actionable Steps for Development

You don't need a spontaneous awakening to develop these skills. Yosi Amram, PhD suggests a practical, "muscle-building" approach to spiritual intelligence:

• ✦The One-Month Focus: Pick one quality (like gratitude or joy) and practice it intentionally for a full month to build that "muscle".
• ✦The Future Self Interview: When facing a crisis, imagine yourself 10 or 15 years in the future and ask that "future self" what values are most important now.
• ✦Tracing the Longing: When striving for external goals, trace that yearning back to its source within your heart to find the "spark of the divine" that already exists.

What You Will Learn

• ✦The SI Advantage: Why spiritual intelligence is the essential evolution beyond IQ and EQ for modern leadership.
• ✦The Power of Adversity: How profound struggles and "twice-born" experiences forge resilient leaders.
• ✦Business Results of "Soft" Qualities: How cultivating trust and joy can double employee productivity.
• ✦Mobilizing Meaning: Practical ways to align personal purpose with organizational mission.
• ✦Harnessing Intuition: Techniques to access "future-self" wisdom and trust your internal "truth meter".

Connect with Our Guest, Yosi Amram, PhD:

• ✦Explore the Book: Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired
• ✦Purchase: Buy Now on Amazon
• ✦Official Website: yosiamram.net
• ✦LinkedIn: Connect on LinkedIn
• ✦YouTube: Awakening Spiritual Intelligence
• ✦Instagram: @awakeningspiritualintelligence

You may also refer to the transcripts below for the full transcription (not edited) of the interview.