Compassion Intelligence (CQ)
Compassion is more than empathy or kindness.
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It is defined by Merriam Webster as:
“Sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it”.
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Compassion is a conscious choice — a courageous choice — a practice of presence that elevated humanity beyond intellect (IQ) and emotional awareness (EQ).
Compassion Intelligence (CQ) is the integration of heart and mind into deliberate action.
It is the inner strength to pause, see the humanity in another and respond with care and wisdom - first towards self and then outwardly to others.
Why Compassion Intelligence (CQ) Matters:
In a world facing division, violence and burnout, IQ and EQ alone are not enough to create sustainable change.
CQ is the next evolution of intelligence — the desperately needed human intellect — the capacity that transforms leaders, organization and communities.
It is not a “soft” skill but a strategic advantage: unlocking trust, collaboration, creativity and resilience at every level of society.
The CQ Global Movement:
Compassion Intelligence is more than a concept; it is a call to action. For self and others.
This global movement seeks to awaken, “re-mind,” inspire and equip humanity to elevate compassion as the defining measure of human greatness.
From boardrooms to classrooms, hospitals to governments, CQ is shaping a future where compassion is the crown intellect - the measure of a great human and a thriving humanity.
Compassion Intelligence (CQ) is more than a concept; it is a call to action.
This movement exists to:
AWAKEN humanity to the power of compassion as a measurable, teachable skill.
EQUIP leaders and individuals with tools to integrate CQ into every decision.
INSPIRE a cultural shift where compassion is valued as deeply as innovation and intellect.
Join us in building a world where Compassion Intelligence (CQ) is recognized, practiced and celebrated as the true mark of leadership and the pathway to thriving change.
Compassion Pioneers: Changing The World One Compassionate Act At A Time
These leaders and organizations embody the spirit of Compassion Intelligence (CQ) in action. Their research, advocacy and lived examples are shaping a world where compassion is not just a virtue, but a measurable, teachable and transformative force.
Stanford School of Medicine Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE)
CCARE is a trailblazer in compassion science. Founded by the late Dr. James Doty, CCARE investigates how compassion and altruism can be cultivated through rigorous research and applied training. Based at Stanford, their work integrates neuroscience, mindfulness, ethics and public policy to explore compassion as a skill — not just an emotion.
Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
Kristen Neff, PhD, is a pioneer in the study of self-compassion. She has been recognized as one of the world’s most influential research psychologists and has written several best selling books on self-compassion. Together with her colleague Dr. Chris Gerber, she has created several empirically supported self-compassion training programs and co-founded the Center for Mindful Self-compassion.
The Muhammad Ali Center - The 2025 Compassion Report
The 2025 Compassion Report, published by the Muhammad Ali Center, is a first of its kind national research study that combines survey data, behavioral and cultural analysis, and the novel “Muhammad Ali index” to measure compassion across America. It’s a call to re-center compassion in our national life.
“The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”
— Henry David Thoreau