The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits
Can hard work beat intelligence? Sure, it can in spite of the fact that people have been often actually misled to believe that the only sure way towards successful life (whatever it means to them) is being blessed with an extraordinary IQ.
Well, I have to disapoint you, because it is not!
Human intelligence measured by the IQ is definitely over-rated parameter, in my humble opinion. I personally know many individuals even in my close family who are obviously more intelligent than others according to the IQ standards, however, most of them are miserable and unhappy, drifting throughout life with no sense of direction.
The measure of intelligence is the ability to change – A.Einstein
Your Skills vs. Your Brain Power
On the other hand, I also know at least couple of persons who are very successful and complete without very hard work and who’d probably score low on a standard IQ test even though they are very successful.
What’s at stake?
OK, let’s start from the IQ measurement? It’s actually a very narrow form of ability, to think abstractly and solve abstract problems. In addition to this, there are also many other forms of intelligence like music intelligence or evaluating people (so called real-time intelligence), etc. whereby most of them are simply ignored by the classic IQ test.
Knowing Yourself Is The Key
Various researches clearly demonstrated there are far more important factors at play when it comes to succeeding at your goals and meaningful life. Hence, according to the Carnegie Institute of Technology, 85% of financial success can be attributed to people skills rather than raw brain power. People prefer to do business with those they trust. Wouldn’t you agree?
Bearing in mind that the researches findings suggest that the emotional intelligence or an EQ is actually a greater indicator than the IQ , your traits (or characteristics as a person) are actually more accurate predictors of the success, rather than your IQ.
According to researches by the Carnegie Institute, there are five big personality factors which can be shown to improve test results. Hence, individuals that had higher levels of these traits were more likely to achieve higher grade and success, and be happier when compared to standardized tests score:
1. Conscientiousness
2. Openness
3. Agreeableness
4. Extraversion
5. Emotional stability
Furthermore, the Carnegie Institute found that 85% of financial success is generated from people skills that can be learned, whereas 15% of financial success is due to technical knowledge and skills. In the workplace, team-thinking and personal development should be the top priorities, whereas emotional awareness toward yourself, your colleagues and your clients sits at the core of an effective professional development strategy.
Still, to be able to do that you need to think about developing or already possessing the following:
First, you need to know yourself. ”What do you mean?” people usually ask me. ”I know who am I.” Than, I tell them that ”knowing yourself” is not about your ID card, what you do, where do you live, are you wealthy or poor, etc. I am talking about being able to manage your emotions, as well to identify potential areas of personal development informal training, courses, etc. to improve or learn from the beginning some new skills you need to grow and develop yourself to your full potential. Managing your emotions means that you will be able to respond to unpleasant situations rationally rather than emotionally -as most of us are actually doing and blaming others for their failure or an unhappy lives. Dear reader, before you act or react, take your time!
Secondly, you need to be able to know and recognize other people needs and their communication styles. It means that you need to learn to listen others and their ideas and needs, and communicate with the people even if you disagree with them.
Thirdly, intelligence is great and blessing for sure. Nevertheless, being incapable to handle things and people in your life properly is certainly not a good thing, right? Hence, rather than succumbing to failure, resilient people accept that something didn’t work and go about finding a different solution, rather than stubborn keep repeating things didn’t work.
Persistent passion is needed to drive you towards success – pursuing something just because you are good at it and not because you are passionate about it, is unlikely to get you to the top. Knowledge is of course great and required, providing you understand it how to apply.
Having empathy is must in the whole process of your personal transformation towards happy and successful person. ”Yes, I see what you mean” and ”You are completely wrong” is a difference between emphatic and arrogant and self-centered persons.
Conscientious people are disciplined and very good at planing ahead rather than assuming they are already gifted with everything they need to know. Hence, they conscientiously put effort in to make sure that they do.
Curiosity is also very important – if you are keen to uncover why and how things works, than you are much more likely to success than other persons or colleagues in your working environment. Why is so? Because you sincerely and genuinely feel excitement when given the opportunity to learn something new for you.
Last but not least, taking time to study and develop the personality traits is required if you wish to enhance your life perspective and make a progress. I am talking about so-called “soft skills” that are fundamental to thriving in the business world.
Discover Your Passion
While there is no evidence as far as I know that suggest that the IQ can be learnt, the good new is that personality traits can be learned, developed and enhanced. How? Well, with your dedication and commitment, you can be just as successful than any of your competitor. So, go ahead. Discover your passion and do not give up!
Good luck!
People who boast about their IQ are losers – S.Hawking
Hey , beforehand, take a look at this 15 Qs quiz based on work and theory by D. Goleman, psychologist and award-winning author of EQ, to give you an idea where do you stand in terms of your EQ.
Each question asks how you act or feel in certain situations. One answer is required in terms how often it is true of your current state of play desired/not desired attitude/behavior!
Ready?
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-When faced with a disappointment or a loss I try not to feel sad.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-I put high priority on understanding how I feel when I make an important decision.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-When I am upset it takes a long time for me to feel better.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-When someone criticizes me unfairly I feel bad about myself.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-My emotions goes like up and down.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-It’s hard for me to wait to get what I want even if I know it’s for the best.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-When working on a challenge I struggle to feel hopeful, energetic, and confident.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-If I have to do something I don’t want to do I put it off till later.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-When people share a problem with me I think more about how they could solve it then about how difficult it feels for them.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-In situations of conflict I have trouble understanding other people’s emotions.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-I am unable to sense other people’s unspoken feelings on important issues.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-I avoid engaging in conversation with people I don’t know well.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-I say things to other people that I regret later.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
-In social situations it’s hard for me to build rapport with others.
Always (3) Usually (5) Sometimes (7) Rarely (9) Never (11)
Scoring your Emotional Intelligence Test
EQ scores range from 45 to 165. Score 105 stands for being average. Score up to 120 stands for being an exceptional.
Components of Emotional Intelligence
-Self-Awareness: Questions 1-3
-Self-Regulation: Questions 4-6
-Internal Motivation: Questions 7-9
-Empathy: Questions 10-12
-Social Skills: Questions 13-15
I am sure you now have a better picture in terms where could you perhaps put up more efforts to improve your weaknesses, because they can be learned too.
