Hey everyone, and welcome to TopThink. Today,
we are going to learn about 15 genuine signs of intelligence you can’t fake.
Now, let’s begin 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. 8. Uncanny Abilities
Truly intellectual people have an uncanny ability to learn new concepts.
While others slowly put the pieces together, intelligent people understand novel ideas like
they’ve been studying them for years. They quickly unravel the world’s most complicated
topics, leaving others stunned and impressed. If you’re a hyper-intelligent person, you may
feel like you are good at everything you do. Even if you’re an amateur at the start, you’re
a fast learner, and that puts you one step ahead of the competition.
9. An Expansive Vocabulary On average, intellectual people have a strong
knowledge of their native languages. They have an expansive vocabulary, and they demonstrate clarity
and concision every time they open their mouths. Anyone can talk around an idea or ramble until the
cows come home. But it takes an intelligent person to explain an idea clearly in just a few words.
10. Precise Recollection Has anyone ever told you that you have an
excellent memory? Memory recall is one of the most common indicators of intelligence
because it’s nearly impossible to fake. People with sharp memories can recall large
quantities of information at the drop of a hat. They excel at memory tests like concentration,
and they rarely forget a name or a number once they’ve heard it. While most people can recall
sparse details and general ideas, it takes a sharp and highly intelligent person to recall
complex memories and concepts with precision. 11. Moments of Inspiration
Anyone can systematically work on a project. It doesn’t take a genius to follow a plan and
stick to a routine. However, the most intelligent people are almost always derailed by moments of
inspiration. Out of nowhere, you make a connection that shines a new light on your problems and leads
you in a new direction. You struggle to follow a regimented routine because these moments
of inspiration are too powerful to ignore. 12. Diverse Expertise
Obviously, the quantity of information stored in your brain impacts your
intellectual abilities. Brilliant people gradually develop a large bank of mental knowledge, and
they can recall that knowledge at almost any time. What surprises many people about avid
intellectuals is the incredible diversity of their expertise. It doesn’t matter whom
they’re talking to or what they’re talking about. They always have something interesting to say.
That doesn’t mean they are experts in every subject. But the most competent people can
talk about almost anything with confidence. 13. A Source of Wisdom
Do other people come to you for advice or wisdom? If people seek out your opinion, it’s because
they value something about your perspective. They trust your judgment, and they
genuinely listen to your suggestions. If you’re a hyper-intelligent person, you may give
better advice than you realize. Perhaps you’re an emotionally intelligent individual whose natural
empathy helps resolve even the toughest conflicts. Maybe your ability to shift perspectives and
challenge diverse ideas helps other people identify weaknesses or streamline their ideas.
In either case, you have earned the trust of the people around you because you have intellectual
abilities that are impossible to fake. 14. Enhanced Perception
Most people navigate the world with their eyes and ears closed. We don’t look at or listen
to the world around us, so we often fail to notice strange or remarkable changes in our environments.
However, the most brilliant people always have their eyes and ears open. They look and
listen everywhere they go because the most interesting things may be happening
right there in front of them. 15. The Bigger Picture Do you consider yourself a decisive person?
Most highly intellectual people make quick, intelligent decisions because they excel at
predicting what comes next. Your ability to identify patterns and synthesize knowledge gives
you a unique perspective on the big picture. More importantly, intelligent people know
that no decision is permanent or flawless. At the end of the day, failing is just
another word for learning something new. Thank you for watching TopThink and be sure
to subscribe because more incredible content is on the way.
