Standardized test scores and grade point average have often been used as measures of academic intelligence, and predictors of educational achievement, job performance, and income. IQ or individual quotient testing was developed in the early 1900s as a means to quantifiably measure intelligence. Many individuals who achieved extraordinarily high IQ scores performed miserably in academics; however, they are successful in their respective fields including Albert Einstein (IQ of 160) and Madonna (IQ of 140). Comparably, John F. Kennedy was an Ivy League graduate and had an IQ of 119. Clearly, not everyone with a degree from an Ivy League university is bright, and not all people who lack a high school education are dumb. The concept of multiple intelligences demonstrates that there are many ways to learn and people are not all equally interested in the same forms of knowledge.
Intelligence is realized through many different forms, which allows people to succeed in their own way. Howard Gardener, a famous psychologist, determined that there are eight areas of intelligence. Gardener emphasizes the point that it is not how smart you are, but “how” you are smart. For example, David Beckham could be considered an intelligent person because of his soccer smarts. He may not have the highest IQ, but he has bodily-kinesthetic skills that allowed him to become one of the greatest soccer players. Beckham was able to focus on his dominant area of intelligence and become a successful person. Jane Goodall is another example of an intelligent person that excelled in the area of naturalistic intelligence with her devotion to the studying of Chimpanzees. Similar to Beckham, Goodall may not be a great academic, but she succeeded in her area of intelligence. Intelligent people are able to harness their area of expertise and succeed in life.
Intelligent people have the ability to gain tacit knowledge, which is also known as street smarts. Studies show that academic intelligence decreases, while tacit knowledge increases with age. Tacit knowledge is the learning of information through hands-on experiences. This knowledge cannot be taught in a classroom, but it is learned through practical life experiences. For example, riding a bike is tacit knowledge. How to ride a bike is not effectively taught in a classroom, rather the rider must learn through practice. The only way to gain tacit knowledge is through experience. Richard Branson founded Virgin International without going to business school. He used real-world experiences and business acumen to create his company and grow it to a successful enterprise. Intelligent people have the ability to use their tacit knowledge to succeed in the real world by applying life-lessons to their area of focus. Traditionally intelligence is measured by academic achievement; however, there are many examples of successful people who have not exceled by the traditional definition. This forces us to expand our definition of success in any field as a measure of intelligence. There are many examples of successful individuals who are highly intelligent in various areas. The attributes that are most notable of intelligent people are high IQs, ability to excel in different forms, or use tacit knowledge. A person must be able to recognize their area of intelligence and follow it with a passion. Through experiences in real life, they have to pick up street smarts. All intelligent people take every opportunity to learn and succeed in life. Being smart is one thing, but knowing how to use intelligence is another thing entirely. Those who succeed are not always the best and brightest academically, but know how to capitalize on their skills.
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