3 Types of Intelligence That Impact Your Success

The 3 Types of Intelligence

How many types of intelligence are there? Some experts claim there are two – others claim nine! But which kind matters for success and happiness? Three types of intelligence significantly impact your success. And it may surprise you to learn that the first one (IQ) doesn’t matter very much.

Build critical intelligence and experience for more success:

  1. Pure intelligence (IQ) is the type of intelligence we all know. That is the intelligence that ‘smart’ people have. Albert Einstein, for example, is someone who comes to mind when I think about a high intellect. Those with a high IQ tend to:
    • Learn more quickly.
    • See the relationships between seemingly unrelated concepts.
    • Have more employment options available since they can successfully deal with more complex challenges across various industries.

But high IQ and success aren’t always correlated. Many underemployed, intelligent people cannot hold a job that matches their intellectual capacity. Clearly, more is needed than just a high IQ to be successful.

“75 percent of careers are derailed for reasons related to emotional competencies, including inability to handle interpersonal problems; unsatisfactory team leadership during times of difficulty or conflict; or inability to adapt to change or elicit trust.”  – Center for Creative Leadership

Fortunately, you can influence the type of intelligence that matters.
  1. Emotional intelligence (EQ) can be more important than a high IQ. What good is knowing a lot of information if you can’t control yourself or relate to others effectively? Emotional intelligence refers to a person’s ability to recognize, use, and positively manage their emotions. Those with high EQ can identify their emotions. They can also detect and respond accordingly to emotions displayed by others.
    • Those with high EQ are viewed as stable people. They can manage their emotions.  And they can pick up on social cues.
    • A lack of emotional intelligence can create numerous challenges. People with a low EQ often hurt other people’s feelings. They fail to temper their emotions and struggle to see how others interpret their actions and words.
    • Those with high EQ are frequently more successful than those with a high IQ. People with a high EQ are more empathetic and approachable. While some fields require a high IQ to be competitive, other qualities matter far more in every industry.
Want to test your EQ? Click here. 
  1. Social intelligence (SI) is the ability to act appropriately in social situations. Gain experience with people and learn from success and failure in social settings to develop social intelligence. SI is also known as “tact,” “common sense,” or “street smarts.” It is the ability to do and say the right things in the proper context. For example, someone being loud at a wedding or cursing at a company party isn’t displaying a high level of social intelligence. Being too informal with a stranger or an authority figure also shows a lack of social intelligence. Anyone can learn SI skills. They are essential to help you maintain relationships, be satisfied at work, or simply find happiness in life.

Enhance the three 3 types of intelligence

It’s generally believed that you can’t change your IQ. However, you can always learn more. Humans are natural learners—and we learn best when we perform the tasks we’re trying to learn. Regardless of how well you did in college, most of your learning occurs at work, when you apply what you’ve learned. Moreover, you can increase the amount of information you possess.

Emotional intelligence and social intelligence can be improved quickly. You can enhance your social and emotional skills. Many books have been written about emotional and social intelligence. You can develop these skills in the comfort of your home, but you must practice them in the real world to make them your own.

Learn what you need to know to be knowledgeable in your area of interest. Also, perfect your emotional and social intelligence. Boosting EQ and SI will positively impact the results you create in your life. Schedule a consultation to learn how Ascentim can help you achieve success.

Lisa L. Baker - Certified Personal, Career, Success and Life Coach

Lisa L. Baker is a professional life coach, career strategist, and keynote speaker. Lisa is the founder of Ascentim – a Maryland-based coaching practice that utilizes a unique G.R.O.W. process to help clients gain clarity, realize new possibilities, overcome obstacles, and win at life. Lisa shows high-performing professionals how to Level Up and Live the Life of Their Dreams.

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