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Work and Intelligence

How many intelligences are there?


"What is intelligence? What does it mean to be intelligent?

"A person who knows" could be one answer.

Knows what, exactly? Facts? How to apply them? Or perhaps knows about the world and its intricate mechanisms? Maybe it's a person who can read others and fully understand human nature?


What makes you think 'that person is intelligent'?

Stefano Mancuso, a professor of Plant Neurobiology at the University of Florence, chooses among many definitions the following: intelligence is the ability to solve problems.


From this definition, Mancuso discusses the intelligence of plants in a wonderful interview that I recommend watching (below the link)

Here are some concepts that struck me and made me think:

1. Plants are immobile. Humans, like all animals, can move in space. Faced with danger, animals can flee. Plants cannot. Thus, they have developed and continue to develop resistance systems.

2. Moreover, they can communicate the existence of danger to other plants located kilometers away through a complex underground system that passes through their roots.

3. Plants have distributed throughout their being all the functions that animals have concentrated in their organs. If we lose an arm or an organ, our entire system malfunctions and risks collapsing. For plants, it is not the same; they can lose parts of themselves and continue to live and grow.

I don't know why this ability to spread oneself moves me, the harmony of a system that has no leader but collaborates with itself for life.


Mancuso continues by stating that even plants solve problems. Therefore, they are intelligent.

 

Are you familiar with the theory of multiple intelligences?

 

The theory of multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner suggests that intelligence can manifest in various forms. The 8 intelligences include: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.


In detail:

  1. Linguistic: The ability to use language effectively, both in writing and spoken words. Examples include poets, storytellers, and those involved in learning foreign languages.

  2. Logical-mathematical: The ability to reason logically, tackle mathematical problems, and understand scientific issues. This applies to scientists, mathematicians, and even philosophers.

  3. Spatial: The ability to think in three dimensions and comprehend the visual world. It includes the capacity to imagine and manipulate objects mentally. Individuals with this intelligence may work in artistic fields or in professions where spatial orientation is crucial, such as pilots or sailors.

  4. Bodily-kinesthetic: The ability to use one's body in a coordinated manner and refine motor skills. This involves a high awareness of one's body and its functions, often seen in athletes, dancers, etc.

  5. Musical: Sensitivity and ability in recognizing, creating, and reproducing sounds and melodies. It includes the perception of rhythm and tonality. Those who work in the musical field often possess this extraordinary ability.

  6. Interpersonal: The ability to understand others, interact effectively, and work well in groups. It involves an awareness of social dynamics. Those working with the public and needing to establish empathic relationships, such as those in social work, often demonstrate this intelligence.

  7. Intrapersonal: Self-awareness and understanding of one's emotions. It includes the ability to reflect, self-assess, and develop a deep understanding of oneself. Perhaps this is the only intelligence that cuts across all professions.

  8. Naturalistic: The ability to recognize and classify elements in nature. It involves sensitivity to natural environments and the ability to understand natural laws.

 

The theory of multiple intelligences suggests that individuals can excel in various areas of intelligence, and the concept of "intelligence" should not be confined to traditional measurements such as the Intelligence Quotient (IQ).

Certainly, each of us can draw upon multiple intelligences. The combination makes us unique!

 
On the job, which type of intelligence is required?

Among the top skills to be updated by 2027, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF), analytical thinking and creative thinking continue to hold the top positions.

This is because reasoning, decision-making, and creativity constitute only 26% of task automation in the workplace

Analytical thinking is a cognitive ability that involves the capacity to analyze, interpret, and solve problems in a logical and rational manner. This skill entails breaking down a complex problem into smaller components, identifying patterns, evaluating available information, and formulating solutions based on critical assessment.

Analytical thinking holds a prominent position in the list of skills expected to grow in importance for workers. Companies report an anticipated increase of 72% in the next five years.

Reasoning and decision-making are currently the least automated work activities, representing only 26% of task automation.


The second skill is linked to creativity. You might be thinking, "I can't draw or create compelling images, so I'm not creative." Creativity is much broader and extends beyond the artistic realm.


"Creativity is not a singular property but the result of the complementarity between deduction and intuition, between reason and imagination, between emotion and reflection, between divergent thinking and convergent thinking" (Biasion, 2017).

Creativity is linked to lateral thinking, meaning thinking outside the box. I would say it's a blend of Gardner's 8 intelligences.


Reflecting on the "distributed" intelligence of plants, I think about how beneficial it could be for us to expand our own intelligence. The world of work has led us towards hyper-specialization in a single field, following the "I-shaped" model, where workers specialize in a particular area.

However, there is an emerging concept advocating for a more comprehensive perspective known as "M-Shaped Skills," where the "M" symbolizes a greater diversification of multidisciplinary skills. This type of skill set emphasizes flexibility and adaptability, qualities becoming increasingly crucial in a constantly evolving world.


The significance of "lateral" skills further rises, as they contribute to fostering innovation and creativity within companies. Individuals with diverse skills across multiple sectors provide a solid foundation to tackle challenges comprehensively and adapt to the ever-changing demands of the current work environment.


Thinking about how you solve everyday problems and challenges, which intelligence do you bring into play?


The diversity in your skill set could be the key to addressing challenges comprehensively and adapting to the dynamic needs of the current work context.

 


 
 
 

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