Do you know what expansion of consciousness is and why this term has become increasingly present?

The expansion of consciousness involves broadening one’s perceptions of oneself and in relation to the world around them.

We moved from a phase where Daniel Goleman introduced the concept of Emotional Intelligence—how we shape behaviors and emotions and how we respond to stimuli through our Emotional Quotient—and today, studies show that there is another quotient that needs to be considered: the Spiritual Quotient. This has nothing to do with religiosity, but rather with the deep connection we establish with ourselves and with the world around us.

We brought Ana Cláudia Freire, Talent Executive for LATAM in the Global Business Services Division at IBM, to talk with us.

Hello everyone from Clave. It’s great to have you here on our channel. Today we have a guest with us, and I feel extremely happy to have her here with me, Ana Cláudia.

Ana Cláudia is currently at IBM, serving as a Talent Executive for LATAM in the Global Business Services Division. Ana, it’s a great pleasure to have you here on the Clave channel talking about such a relevant topic—spirituality, self-awareness, and how this awareness helps us expand who we are, as people and as professionals. Shall we talk a bit about this?

I’m the one who should thank you, Ingrid. It’s very special to be able to talk about a topic that connects so deeply with my personal causes, with a set of drives I’ve been cultivating throughout my career, and that, at this moment in life and in the world, I believe is unavoidable for us not to consider.

So let’s get started, Ana. What do you understand by this expansion of consciousness? Let’s talk about it—what would it be?

When you invited me to talk a bit about this topic of spiritual intelligence in the expansion of consciousness and self-awareness, and what that has to do with career and success, I spent quite some time reflecting on what I would share with you.

And I think it’s important for us to bring this into perspective—what exactly do we mean by that? To frame it correctly, research has been advancing and introducing new variables, new “drives” for us to consider when analyzing what this human being is—so complex and full of possibilities. There’s a book by Danah Zohar that addresses exactly this topic, the concept of the spiritual quotient.

So, we started with an initial dimension, which was IQ—intelligence tests focused on cognitive capacity. Then we advanced further, and Daniel Goleman introduced the concept of Emotional Intelligence, focusing on how we process behaviors and emotions and how we respond to stimuli. And now science is showing that there is another quotient that needs to be considered: the Spiritual Quotient. That’s where the idea of spiritual intelligence comes in.

Research also shows—and Zohar discusses this—that for each of these intelligences (IQ, EQ, and now SQ, with “S” for spiritual), there are specific areas of the brain where they operate more strongly. In her book, she even mentions research suggesting what she calls a “God spot” in the brain.

Regardless of how one defines God, I personally relate to the idea of a unifying force—an energy that connects everything and exists within all people. And because it exists within all of us, it connects us.

When we are connected in this way, we gain the ability to reflect on why we are here, what we are serving, what our role is in this journey of life—in our interactions, in the careers we choose, and in the contributions we make over time.

Bringing this back to your question—what is expansion of consciousness? When we talk about spiritual intelligence, expansion of consciousness, and self-awareness, we are referring to this ability to broaden our understanding of who we are and what we serve, so that we can better understand our contribution to humanity and offer it in a way that is aligned with what we have discovered about ourselves and the meaning of our existence.

The key point of this expansion of consciousness is that it is less individual and more collective. It’s less about thinking only about oneself and more about recognizing oneself as part of a connected whole—a universal whole that includes all people. Therefore, everything you offer—across all roles in your life—impacts those around you. Because if you are connected to this whole, you are connected to everyone. So when you impact one person, you impact everything.

I really like a point you brought up—actually two things I’d like to highlight and that I completely agree with. As humans, we have a need to connect outward, right? That’s why we live in society, why we need relationships, and why in a scenario like the one we experienced, it wasn’t easy for people to isolate themselves at home—especially those who didn’t have anyone to share that space with. It even reminds me of the movie *Cast Away*—everyone wanted to have a “Wilson” in a moment like that. Sociologically, we know that beyond connecting with others, we also need to connect with ourselves.

Regardless of race, gender, or any other variable, anthropologists have already observed that even tribes or communities with little contact with modern civilization have a need to connect—not only with those who are similar to them, but also with something transcendent, whatever that may be. We have this need to transcend—to expand our consciousness—and that’s something that really caught my attention in what you said.

A few years ago, when I was at another company, we had a program where, for the first time, I saw an organization truly acknowledge that we are whole beings who need to balance our emotions. If there’s an emotional or energetic low at home, it impacts our career—because we are one. There’s no such thing as leaving “Ana” at home and bringing only the professional version to work. You bring yourself, and you also bring part of your work home—especially today, when everything happens in the same environment. We have family at home, work happening at home, everything intertwined. So we are, in fact, whole beings who need balance—emotional energy, family energy, self-awareness, and spirituality, whatever form that may take for each person.

That’s something I actively seek in my life, you know? So it’s really interesting to hear you talk about this historical evolution—how this topic has gradually been uncovered and brought into the corporate world, where it once seemed completely separate. Work and personal life were treated as parallel worlds. Now we’re starting to see that those barriers are coming down and beginning to merge.

You brought up three points that I’d like to explore. The first is this: Anthroposophy talks a lot about life stages—about cycles of seven years—and in each of these periods, you carry a certain type of energy.

This is also closely related to the physical aspect, to the chemical and biological dimensions of each life stage, as well as to lived experiences. So it’s natural that all these topics—especially this one we’re discussing—may seem distant to those who are in a more tangible phase of life, where they need to touch and see things to believe them.

And that’s okay. What matters is understanding that life is cyclical. Regardless of the stage we are in, the key—as you said very well—is balance. If I’m in a phase driven by productivity, that’s fine. But I need awareness—I need to know that I am more than that. This awareness stays with me throughout my career and shapes the legacy I leave, the people I impact along the way. What I mean is: it doesn’t help to live only in the immediate and reflect on these things only later. When you look back, you may realize how many opportunities you missed to connect meaningfully—with others and with yourself. That was the first point I wanted to highlight.

The second point is about connection with oneself, which is strongly linked to neuroscience—something I’d like to touch on. You brought several theoretical foundations, and I’ve been exploring neuroscience as well. It shows that one of the keys to life balance is self-empathy. Neuroscience has been studying behavior extensively, and it emphasizes that to have empathy for others, you must first develop empathy for yourself. This ties directly to self-awareness. If you lack self-empathy, you won’t truly know yourself, because you won’t be able to accept both your strengths and your weaknesses. Looking at yourself honestly is a journey and a practice—one that applies to any life stage, even if at times it feels abstract or intangible.

The third point I’d like to address is that everything we’ve discussed leads to a more metaphysical perspective. This perspective can be very enriching when we talk about humanity, about purpose, and especially in moments like the ones we’ve experienced recently—when we are confronted with how finite and vulnerable we are. Connecting with this metaphysical dimension—setting aside preconceived notions or stereotypes about what metaphysics means—helps us reflect more deeply on existence.

And one final thing that’s very important to highlight: everything we’ve been discussing—spiritual quotient, expansion of consciousness—is different from religiosity. It’s not about being religious or following specific dogmas. It’s about transcendence—the ability to connect with something beyond oneself, beyond what is tangible or material, beyond what we can immediately see.

Yes, perfect. So let’s start by talking a bit about how this influences our relationships—whether family relationships or work relationships. How does this expansion affect our relationships?

There’s a first point we explored that’s worth revisiting. As expansion of consciousness and spiritual intelligence imply transcendence—as you mentioned—it brings a perception that I go beyond what is material and tangible, and that I am part of a whole. A whole that doesn’t end with me, that I may not see, but to which I am connected through a cosmic and universal energy that links me to others. The ability to relate to others is directly connected to the ability to relate to myself.

In short, if I understand that others are part of the same network I’m connected to, I begin to perceive that the other is, in a way, myself. Because if all beings are connected through a single, central, cosmic energy that enables connection to something greater, then there is a shared origin.

There is an energetic origin, and we are all expressions of it—we are one. And when we become aware that the other is also part of us, we become more responsible for our actions and how they affect others. The natural consequence of this is positive: our level of care—our awareness, our intention in how we act and react—improves. When we consciously develop the ability to relate better with ourselves and with others, the impact becomes more constructive, and relationships become healthier. If I intentionally build skills that support this, then the results across my personal and professional life, in all the roles I play, tend to be positive.

We know that many organizations today can be quite toxic, largely due to a long history of being driven primarily by results. But this isn’t about being anti-results. Results don’t have to coexist with a predatory mindset. They can coexist with strong relationships, social impact, and a human-centered approach. From there, everything unfolds—leadership relationships, inspiration, role models, examples to follow. The positive ripple effect of self-awareness and consciousness in relationships is essentially limitless.

And even building on that, thinking about spiritual intelligence in relation to career and success—how does it directly influence that? What do you think people often overlook about how connected and interrelated these aspects are? Tell us a bit about that.

I think first of all there’s a dimension that relates to your personal mark on this journey. When you expand your consciousness and develop your spiritual intelligence—this transcendence we’ve been discussing—you gain awareness that we are unique beings. This idea isn’t mine; it comes from a Roman emperor who was very connected to philosophy—perhaps Marcus Aurelius—who said that every time we miss the opportunity to connect genuinely with someone, we lose the chance to encounter someone irreplaceable. There is no one else like them.

When you build your personal mark with this level of awareness, your care and attention toward the nature and quality of your relationships become much stronger. As a result, your professional legacy becomes one that people remember—not just for what you did, but for who you were, what you enabled, and the impact you created. That is success. Success goes far beyond hierarchy or status—those may come as consequences, but true success lies in the coherence of understanding your purpose within this broader whole and acting in alignment with your principles. This leads to integrity in your relationships, in the companies you work for, and in the results you deliver—offering the best of who you are.

Science also shows that this spiritual dimension enhances imagination, problem-solving ability, inspiration, and the capacity to connect insights in powerful ways. What company wouldn’t want professionals who are attentive, imaginative, and capable of generating results and solving business challenges? These elements can absolutely coexist in harmony. There’s no contradiction here. And that’s why this spiritual quotient plays such an important role in career and success.

So Ana, I think there’s a really important point here—because people listening to us might be wondering how to start. Were you always like this? People might think this comes naturally to you and that they don’t have the same ability. I think it would be great if you could share how this began for you and what tips you can give so others can also start, regardless of the stage they’re in.

Perfect. I don’t think I’ve always had this level of conscious maturity—it’s something we build and practice over time. It’s like going to the gym. You develop mental awareness, emotional strength, and this connection to spiritual transcendence through practice. You need dedication to become more proficient. I wasn’t always like this. What I believe connected me were principles and values I’ve always had, coming from my family—where we believed in a connection beyond what we can see. That was always present in my upbringing, sometimes through religious perspectives, sometimes not, but there was always a strong orientation toward spirituality, toward this dimension we can’t fully explain.

And as I mentioned, this practice, these values, bring us closer to triggers and stimuli that help us develop. Just like when you go to the gym—you have a goal, like improving your health, and you start adding things along the way. You find a place with a good philosophy, a trainer, a nutritionist—and everything begins to align with your goal. The same happened to me.

For some years now, my husband and I have been part of a mystical-philosophical society—not very widely known—called Rosicrucianism. It’s somewhat similar to Freemasonry in structure, with lodges, but it’s not a religious institution. As I said, it’s mystical-philosophical and works with teachings, studies, rituals, and practices that connect us with the cosmos. Its main goal is self-awareness and expansion of consciousness.

Objectively speaking, what can people do? I think the first step is reflection—and I’ll use a quote from Leonardo da Vinci: “Everything that exists in reality was once a dream.” So think: what do I want to become real in my life? What do I want to manifest? First, it has to exist in the realm of ideas. Plato’s allegory of the cave already pointed to this.

So, in terms of practical advice, the first step is asking “why.” People talk a lot about purpose—it’s even become a bit overused—but I like to think of it as a “cause.” A cause that is both individual and collective, and that connects me to a greater “why.”

This connection exists in everything—between things, in our deeper motivations. So this inner immersion is the first path to reconnecting with yourself. You need to practice reflection and self-connection—having your own moment. People talk a lot about mindfulness and meditation. Some can do it, others struggle—and that’s okay. There’s no need to feel pressured to follow a specific method. It can be anything: going to a garden, sitting by the ocean, taking a quiet moment alone—immersing yourself in your emotions and seeking to expand your awareness. That already counts.

I think a key point you just mentioned is that in this fast-paced world we live in, simply slowing down, turning off your phone, and allowing yourself to fully connect with what’s in front of you is almost like meditation. Because we’re constantly on our phones, checking emails—even when we’re at the beach, we’re thinking about everything we still have to do. We stay stuck in this “I have to, I need to” mindset—“I need to get home”—while the beach is right there, the ocean is right there, and yet we’re not truly connecting with the environment. We end up missing the present moment.

I think this state of presence can be achieved in different ways, as long as you truly allow yourself. Practicing it, as you said, isn’t simple because we’re constantly stimulated—but it’s necessary.

If you’re willing to develop this spiritual intelligence, expand your consciousness, and navigate the path of self-awareness, then this practice of being with yourself—of not abandoning yourself, of welcoming yourself, of cultivating self-empathy, and even tolerating your inner voices—is essential to process and integrate all of this.

I think the point you brought up, Ana, about presence—about truly being in the moment—is essential. Understanding how much we need self-empathy, this deeper level of self-awareness, is key.

Moments like these already help us expand a little more, allowing us to think beyond ourselves. It’s a great path, and a simple exercise: when your child is talking to you, truly talk and listen. Be present in that moment. It’s about paying attention. And it’s just as important to do this for ourselves as it is for others.

Even in simple moments—like taking a shower—allow yourself to feel the water, to let thoughts come and go, embracing that sense of renewal. So you can move forward with strength and energy to live your day, or release what needs to be let go and find rest at the end of it.

And allow that reality to manifest, because remember Da Vinci’s quote—if you don’t renew your dreams, you don’t renew your reality. These moments of connection allow a new reality, a new manifestation to emerge—and it’s within you, it’s in everything.

If we look at nature, it already teaches us so much about how to live. Sometimes we need to learn patience—it doesn’t happen overnight. We need to learn how to cultivate, and cultivation is a daily process. We weren’t born this way—we were born small, but we forget that.

To truly live, we had to germinate—there was a process, a time—and it’s great that you brought this up because it allows me to add something.

As part of the tips, I really like philosophy. Recently, I watched a talk at IBM with Leandro Karnal, who is a philosopher. Philosophy has everything to do with results, success, spiritual quotient, and expansion of consciousness. One of the greatest abilities philosophy gives us is the ability to ask questions.

Going beyond obvious answers—in life and in business—depends on practicing the art of asking questions. Philosophy offers techniques for questioning, and this process of seeking answers—though never definitive—helps guide humanity. So I believe this is also an important exercise: engaging with fields of knowledge that challenge us and stimulate this kind of thinking.

I like a quote by Rubem Alves—though I don’t remember it exactly, it’s something like this: thinking is like being “ill” in the body. Growth hurts, but sometimes that discomfort needs to exist so we can question why. Imagine if your foot never grew—you’d keep wearing the same shoe. But because it grows, you realize you no longer fit in certain places.

It’s discomfort that drives change. And this year was full of discomfort, but also of growth. Those who allowed themselves to experience that pain learned from it and found their minds expanding more and more.

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