TQ: Important as IQ and EQ

For decades, IQ (Intelligence Quotient) has been used to measure intelligence and EQ (Emotional Intelligence) to measure emotional awareness. Both are essential. Equally important now is a third capability we call “TQ” — Technology Quotient.

TQ is not about writing code or chasing the latest devices. It is the ability to understand how technology works, how it influences decisions, and how it can be applied responsibly to solve real problems both at work and at home. As software, data, and automation increasingly shape our everyday experiences, TQ has become a foundational form of literacy.

At the individual level, TQ creates agency and opportunities. People with strong TQ do not passively accept technology; they evaluate it. They ask critical questions: What problem does this solve? What data does it depend on? Where are its limitations? How can it make my life better? This mindset enables better decision-making, more effective work, and greater adaptability as roles evolve. Without TQ, technology feels confusing or imposed. With TQ, it becomes a tool used with clarity and purpose.

TQ also strengthens both IQ and EQ. Intelligence helps us reason and analyze. Emotional intelligence helps us collaborate and lead. Technology intelligence allows those strengths to scale. It turns insight into impact, transforms good processes into repeatable systems, and enables human judgment to be extended rather than replaced.

At the community level, TQ becomes a strategic asset. Communities with strong TQ are better positioned to attract employers, retain talent, and encourage innovation. They adopt technology thoughtfully, aligning it with shared values, workforce needs, and long-term priorities. Schools prepare learners for modern careers. Local governments use data to improve services. Small businesses gain access to tools that expand their reach and resilience.

Communities with low TQ face a different trajectory. Technology decisions are often reactive, fragmented, or avoided entirely. Over time, this creates gaps in opportunity, productivity, and economic vitality—not because of a lack of intelligence or effort, but because the tools shaping progress are poorly understood.

We believe TQ is no longer a specialty skill needed by a subset of people. It is a core competency—standing alongside IQ and EQ as essential for individuals building meaningful careers and for communities shaping sustainable futures. This is why the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with CREATE to establish the Regional Technology Council (RTC). The RTC is a community of tech professionals and tech-curious individuals who meet regularly as peers to network, learn from one another, and steward our community’s TQ. Visit https://www.regionaltechcouncil.org for information on how to get involved and learn of upcoming events.