Knowing your GQ

Once those two two-word “conversations” are over … if you’ve been following my advice from ping what.do.you.do? that is … and talked about some other inane (i.e. non work related) stuff … you should have been able to tell if they’ve got “it”.

Now, you’re a geek … so I’m guessing … like me … “it” is intelligence? But what on earth is intelligence? Is it measured by IQ, Higher School Certificate (HSC) mark, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score or … errr …. EQ? Well I’m here to present to you a theory that has been around for 20 years and I have totally subscribed too … the theory of multiple intelligences.

In the early 80’s Dr Howard Gardner and all his geeky friends sat around and defined some criteria that any certain “skill” could be tested against. If it passed then it would be recognised as a form of intelligence, if it failed, then not. Now these criteria have been around for a long time and many “skills” have been tested against them but guess what …

Theory 11: There are 7 forms of intelligence.

And these are;

1. Logical-mathematical
2. Intrapersonal
3. Bodily-kinaesthetic
4. Spatial
5. Musical
6. Interpersonal
7. Linguistic

I have really liked this breakdown because it acknowledges co-ordination and physical skills as much as linguistic and logical. Yes, all those jocks that beat you up at school were “intelligent”! And emotional intelligence gets a look in twice with interpersonal and intrapersonal. Recently they have added Naturalistic Intelligence but I’m an Engineer so … sorry … don’t like that “left-wing pinko” one :)

So if we accept that there are these 7 forms of intelligence and we were to keep score of how we stack up in each area and then average the scores, then, basically, you can get a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) across the 7 intelligences … just like at uni … and this WAM would be the breadth of someone’s intelligence. I think it is this breadth that we should be admiring rather than any specific skills in any given area.

Now just like at university there are bands to this mark so if the average is ≥ 85% that is a High Distinction (HD), 75% to 84% that’s a Distinction (D), if 65% to 74% a Credit (C), 50% to 64% a Pass (P) and anything below 50% is well … Fail (Z) … and stupid.

And, as I said before, I think it is the breadth of the intelligence that defines whether someone is a Genius or one of us … a Geek. And basically it goes like this;

Theory 12: Genius is an HD average.

and;

Theory 13: Geek is getting 100% in one.

So 85%+ across all 7 would be a serious genius or Renaissance Man … Leonardo Da Vinci for example and of course Robbie Williams … but more of that in a future post. If you’re 100% in any one intelligence then I reckon … GEEK! Now I did get a 100% in one subject at Uni you know so that’s my “cred” and as you’ll see I think I’m 100% in one of the intelligences ... but remember it’s hard to be humble when you’re as awesome I am …

This is what I get across the 7 forms of intelligence;

How I stack up on against the 7 intelligences

And graphically this is … and oh how much I love radar graphs … they’re actually called Kiviat graphs you know … after Mr Kiviat I presume??? Note my “right-brain” dominance … and before you ask … no that isn’t how they got the term … it’s something to do with cognitive function … apparently … that’s what my sis says anyway …

Oooh … a radar plot of me and the 7 intelligences

So I’m a Geek in Introspection … my Dad certainly thinks so … and c’mon I’m writing a book on “it” for GOD’s sake. I’m nowhere near a genius … as I’ve only got a D average (1st class honours that is – which is what I got at uni btw) but not University Medal … like Dave R, Mark D, Jared B, Peter C, David L … and basically everyone I work with … but don’t get me started on that one! I’d have to work on my Musical and Linguistic intelligences … though I was Orange Blossom Festival recorder champion one year … and I can say hello/good day in about 10 languages so there is hope!

Anyway … what I do have in spades is what I call “punchiness”. It is that sparkle in the eye, motivation, passion … zest for life. And basically if someone has a gift to start with … be it linguistic, logical or musical … then they are basically a waste of space unless they are motivated enough to use it. If they sit around smoking bongs all day then I don’t really care if they are the most gifted musician really. So …

Theory 14: It’s all about Punchiness anyway.

So there is hope. If you’re struggling in some dimension then work at it ... cognitively restructure yourself … and when you’re thinking about what you want to change in yourself or the world in general remember one of the greatest theories of all time and that is …

Theory 15: Have patience to tolerate the things you cant change, courage to change the things you can, and, the wisdom to tell the difference.

It was a genius who wrote that … the first time that is!