Identify your smartness

When Dr. Howard Gardner, a professor of cognition and education at Harvard University, suggested the idea of multiple intelligences in the 1980s, he started a revolution. Before this, intelligence was almost entirely judged in relation to IQ. Tests covered mathematical and linguistic skills, with a bit of problem-solving thrown in for good measure. When IQ tests effectively sifted academic individuals from those who were more practical by nature, they were a poor indicator of future success in life, love or work. They also provided a very limited definition of what it was to be smart.

Gardner’s idea is remarkably simple and it goes with the grain of common sense. He identified eight types of intelligence, which I have described below. The final two types on the list have been added by other thinkers since Gardner developed his theory. See if you can recognize yourself in any or some of these descriptions.

LINGUISTIC

You like words and stories. Word-play intrigues you and you are an avid reader. You have a good vocabulary. You probably enjoy learning languages. You like writing and may well be able to remember lists of words and tell good stories.

MATHEMATICAL

You seek to understand the relationships between different things. You like figures, puzzles, abstract problems and brain-teasers. You appreciate patterns, categories and systems.

VISUAL

You notice colour, form and texture. You probably use pictures to help you remember things, and diagrams, maps and doodles when you are making notes.  You may well be able to draw, paint or sculpt.

PHYSICAL

You enjoy physical exercise, sports and dance. You tend to be on your feet at the first opportunity whether in a meeting or at the party. You learn by rolling up your sleeves and getting on with things.

MUSICAL

You are attuned to sounds and rhythms. You probably relished singing and listening to music from an early stage. You can recall songs and melodies well. Music impacts powerfully on your moods.

EMOTIONAL

You tend to look within yourself, on a constant quest for self-knowledge. You may keep a diary of your experiences, moods and thoughts. You enjoy time to think and reflect, and you understand and mange your emotions well.

SOCIAL

You enjoy other people’s company and getting to know people. Parties, meetings, team games and gregarious activities appeal to your nature. You show high levels of empathy with other people.

ENVIRONMENTAL

You are fascinated by nature and see things in it that pass others by. You probably like being outdoors and are fond of animals. You take a keen interest in your home environment, inside or outside.

SPIRITUAL

You enjoy grappling with the fundamental questions of existence. You tend to act according to your principles, possibly questioning the normal ways of behaving in a given situation. You probably hold well-developed beliefs that you are ready to stand up for.

PRACTICAL

You like making things happen. You are often called on to fix, mend or assemble things, or to come up with situations. Where others talk about what needs to be done, you prefer to get on and do it.

Now that you know there exist different kinds of smartness, why don’t you identify yourself with one of these and strengthen you skills!