All of us are a blend of eight intelligences

Howard Gardener, through his book Multiple Intelligences, explained that there are eight forms of intelligence. These are literary, musical, kinesthetic, interpersonal, intra-personal, spatial, naturalistic and spiritual. It is important to understand how each one works. Because in varying degrees we are gifted with all the eight intelligences to deliver better results.

Literary intelligence is about the capability to read and write well. Between a manager who can do the math well, and another who also reads and writes well, the latter is likely to succeed much more. In a world where we have to network with different teams and nationalities, the capacity to be a better leader is determined by how well we express ourselves through languages reading and writing.

Music is about harmony. Studies indicate that children who play an instrument learn to listen much better, they grow up to be better empathetic professionals. Not everyone is endowed with the intelligence to play music, but the capacity to build appreciation can be cultivated by anyone, and it has several benefits. 

Great sportspersons have what is called kinesthetic intelligence. In certain kinds of sports, we do not have time to think. In fact, it is said if you think, you are dead. We have all come across many people who are able to converse better, have the ability to make friends quickly, and solve problems collaboratively. This category of people has high interpersonal intelligence. 

Given a position of power and authority, why do some managers behave in a despotic manner, and others in a firm but humane way? Those who are more self-aware have a realistic understanding of who they are, what their true needs are, they are emotionally stable and can deal better with the ups and downs in life and business. These people have a higher degree of intra-personal intelligence. 

In today’s world, in a profession like selling, you realise that some salespeople can map and chart a client organisation much better than others. Some people can land in a new town, and in a matter of time, map it really well. These are known as spatially intelligent people. 

In the early days, every tribe had someone who was better at recognising animal calls, knew one animal from the other by looking at hoof or pug marks. When farming became the dominant activity, this person was the one who knew one herb from another, could tell which mushroom to eat and which to avoid. Such people were gifted with naturalistic intelligence. 

Finally, there is existential intelligence, or for lack of a better word, spiritual intelligence. Most of us appreciate the presence of a higher power. Some people can connect easily with the presence of such a power, and as a result, research has proven that they can better deflect anxiety, can better deal with loss, and can better balance decisions with yardsticks of morality and self-governance. 

Key takeaways

• In varying degrees, we are gifted with all eight intelligences to deliver better results.
• Capacity to be a better leader is determined by how well we express ourselves through languages reading and writing.
• Great sportspersons have what is called kinesthetic intelligence.