15 Genuine Signs Of Intelligence You Can't Fake (Part 1)

What does it mean to be a highly intelligent person? Most of us recognize an intelligent person when we meet one, yet genuine intelligence is challenging for almost anyone to define or explain. In fact, the definition of intelligence seems to change in nearly every context. In the workplace, an intelligent person may excel at brainstorming new ideas, tackling complex problems, and analyzing the big picture. In relationships and social groups, intelligence may involve clear communication and emotional expression, while academic settings place a greater emphasis on learning new concepts and recalling information. As different as they seem, every one of these intellectual abilities falls under the umbrella of intelligence. According to many popular theories in psychology, like Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, there are a wide variety of cognitive, perceptual, and intrapersonal skills that contribute to any measure of your intellect. Furthermore, two people may have vastly different intellectual talents and skillsets, even though both individuals are considered more intelligent than most. To solve this problem, Gardner’s theory divides our intellectual abilities into eight categories. Each category captures a different aspect of human cognition, behavior, or performance. According to Gardner, all highly intelligent people excel in one or more of these categories, which ultimately define how you learn, process information, or interface with the world around you. For example, one of Gardner’s categories is called spatial intelligence, and it describes your ability to recognize visual patterns. People with extraordinary spatial intelligence may be adept at manipulating images and navigating through space. Unsurprisingly, many sharp spatial thinkers find success as architects, surgeons, and sculptors. Of course, spatial intelligence is just one of Gardner’s intellectual categories, and Gardner is only one of many psychologists who have tried to explain the mysterious qualities that make one person more competent or innovative than another. Because intelligence is so tricky to define, it can be equally tricky to recognize in the people around you.

For instance, many of the most brilliant people are ignored and neglected simply because their brilliance does not align with traditional or mainstream ideas. On the other hand, many copycats and pseudo-scientists gain worldwide acclaim, despite creating few good ideas of their own.

So, how do you know whether someone is genuinely a brilliant individual? To separate the geniuses from the jesters, let’s look at 15 diverse signs of natural intelligence that you cannot fake, no matter how hard you try.

1. The Tides of Change

Do you adapt well to new environments? Intelligent people respond quickly and effectively to changes in the world around them. You may not always enjoy change — especially when it happens without warning — but you work well under pressure and need little preparation to perform at your best. Flexibility and spontaneity are two skills that only the most intelligent people can master. Anyone can prepare extensively for a project and satisfy expectations, but it takes a brilliant person to think on their feet and perform at their best.

2. Outlandish Originality

Are you constantly brimming with new ideas?

Highly intellectual people quickly synthesize information and make connections, so it doesn’t take long before they’re overflowing with original ideas. Not every idea they come up with is innovative or profound. The most creative people frequently devise the most outlandish ideas and concepts. However, their willingness to think outside the box separates the most intelligent people from the rest of the world.

3. The Cognizant Recluse

Self-awareness is a skill rarely associated with people with high intelligence. We usually think of hyper-intellectuals as self-centered and reclusive, but most are exceptionally cognizant of the world around them. They unconsciously think about the needs and feelings of others, even if they don’t have to.

4. Disorderly Experimentation

Many intelligent people are surprisingly disorganized. Not only do they live messy lifestyles, but their goals, passions, and interests vary each day. To most people, they seem scatterbrained or simply unfocused. Yet their disorganization yields the most inspiring discoveries. The lives of brilliant people often revolve around their passions and interests. They’re always asking questions, exploring ideas, and developing new concepts, even if those concepts fall flat 99% of the time. Because of their constant intellectualism,

the most intelligent people tinker with ideas every day of their lives, and that tinkering eventually leads them to meaningful, sometimes profound innovations.

5. The Gift of Music Are you a natural musician?

You may not be classically trained, but you have a knack for rhythms, melodies, and musical patterns. You not only appreciate good music when you hear it, but you can also create new music with little effort. Without much thought, you can write original songs and sing unique melodies. You may create parodies of your favorite tunes, play music with your friends, or sing around the house or in the shower. No matter how you channel your musical talents, natural musical abilities are a reliable predictor of intelligence. In order to create or appreciate good music, your brain uses many cognitive skills, like pattern recognition, metaphorical thinking, and auditory perception. If you have an ear for music, there’s a good chance you’re sharp in other areas.

6. Profound Predictions

Intelligent people excel at identifying hidden patterns in the world around them. Whether it’s a sequence of numbers or a trend in their community, they quickly and confidently recognize patterns and rules and then make intelligent predictions. While there are many other kinds of intelligence, pattern recognition is broadly applicable, incredibly powerful, and almost impossible for anyone to fake.

7. Thirst for Knowledge

The most intelligent people have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. So, it’s no surprise they ask questions everywhere they go. Whether you are conversing with a stranger or listening to a lecture, you want to know and understand everything, and you’ll keep asking questions until you do.

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15 Genuine Signs of Intelligence you can't fake (part 1) l

Abraham Adesanya