Positive Intelligence.

• Author: Sweeney, Paul
• Position: Book review

Positive Intelligence

by Shirzad Chamine

Greenleaf Book Group Press, 227 pages. $23.95

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Positive Intelligence is a do-it-yourself, self-help book on how we can recognize--and conquer--our inner saboteurs.

They come in many guises, these saboteurs, causing serious damage to both ourselves and the organizations in which we work, writes Shirzad Chamine, chairman of CTI, the world's largest corporate coaching-and-training firm and counselor to Fortune 500 companies. The author identifies 10 negative personality types most frequently encountered both in ourselves and others.

The saboteur-in-chief is The Judge. This master saboteur finds fault with self, with others and with circumstances, and is the source of all guilt, regret, shame and disappointment. The Judge, moreover, can usually be found in the company of other saboteurs, whom Chamine labels "accomplices."

For example, there is The Stickler, who is punctual and methodical, a perfectionist. This saboteur sows seeds of discord as underlings and co-workers resign themselves to the fact that their efforts are never good enough.

By contrast, there is The Pleaser, who seeks acceptance by helping, rescuing or flattering others. Benign as that may seem, reports Chamine, this behavior can lead to burnout for The Pleaser and feelings of resentment and guilt among others in the organization, who are continually made to feel obligated and manipulated.

Other destructive personality types the author identifies are The Hyper-Achiever (competitive and status conscious), The Victim (dramatic and temperamental), The Hyper-Rational (comes across as intellectually arrogant or secretive), the Hyper-Vigilant (always anxious with chronic doubts about self and others), The Restless (seeks excitement and variety and constant new stimulation), The Controller (confrontational and intimidating and stimulated by conflict) and The Avoider (has difficulty saying no and is passive aggressive).

Fortunately, there is a formula for identifying and combating these saboteurs. Once recognized, Chamine asserts, these agents of failure and destruction can be countered by the "Five Sage Powers."

Empathize with ourselves and others, the author counsels. Explore with deep curiosity. Innovate and develop creative options. Navigate among options and choose the paths that best align with our deepest-held values and purpose. Finally, he...