What is Positive Intelligence (PQ) coaching, and how does it work?

You already know what you should do. The interesting question is why you don’t do it, and the answer usually lives in your head, not your calendar.

IN SHORT

Positive Intelligence (PQ) is a science-based approach to mental fitness developed by Shirzad Chamine. PQ coaching trains you to notice the inner “Saboteurs” that hijack your thinking under pressure, and to shift into your “Sage”: the calm, clear-eyed part of your mind that solves problems instead of ruminating on them.

Meet your Saboteurs

Everyone has a “Judge”, the inner voice that criticises you, others, and your circumstances. The Judge works with accomplice Saboteurs like the Stickler (perfectionism), the Hyper-Achiever (self-worth through performance), the Pleaser, the Controller, and the Avoider. They feel like they’re helping you succeed. Mostly, they’re burning your energy and narrowing your thinking.

The first step in PQ coaching is simply learning to catch them in the act. Once you can say “that’s my Hyper-Achiever talking,” the thought loses much of its power.

Strengthening your Sage

The Sage is the opposite mode: curious instead of judging, focused on what can be done rather than whose fault it is. PQ builds the mental muscle to shift from Saboteur to Sage on demand: with short daily practices (often called “PQ reps”) that work like strength training for your attention.

What a PQ coaching program looks like

In my coaching we combine the PQ framework with your concrete goals: a career move, a leadership challenge, a habit you can’t shake. A typical rhythm: we identify your dominant Saboteurs, set a real plan for the change you want, practise the daily mental-fitness reps between sessions, and I hold you accountable so the new patterns actually stick. Sessions run online or in person in Aarhus.

Who it’s for

PQ coaching fits ambitious people who are already performing, but paying too high a mental price for it. If you recognise the 2 a.m. replay of a meeting, the inability to enjoy a win, or the decision you’ve been circling for months, this is built for you.