SO MUCH MORE THAN IQ

"We should not pretend to understand the world only by the intellect. The judgement of the intellect is only part of the truth."

Carl Jung, 20th century Swiss psychiatrist.

We're all born with some level of intelligence but what we do or don't do with it is another matter.

And understanding that is itself a sign of high intelligence.

ON SECOND THOUGHT . . .

"Thinking is only a process of talking to yourself."

Unknown

A process we don't do often or well enough.

I think possibly the biggest "thinking" mistake we make is thinking we've clearly thought through all our thoughts.

What do you think?

YOUR MIND, NOT EASILY MADE UP NOR CHANGED

"Reason is a very light rider, and easily shook off."

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) Irish-born English satirist.

Do not easily be dissuaded.

Believe what you believe for good reason, only, and always, allowing your mind to change for even better reason.

I REASON SO

"Everything that is beautiful and noble is the product of reason and calculation."

Charles Baudelaire

19th century French poet

Both to make those things as well as to find that made by others.

The last one in particular.

UNCOMMON SENSE

"Common sense is not so common."

Voltaire

18th century French writer/historian

If common sense really were (common) wouldn't we see more of it?

I'M REASONABLY CERTAIN THIS IS TRUE

"The true triumph of reason is that it enables us to get along with those who do not possess it."

Voltaire

18th century French writer/historian

Well, not always (enables), but even having the ability to attempt to reason with an unreasonable person is an advantage.

Make mistakes to learn not to make mistakes.

"One cool judgment is worth a thousand hasty counsels. The thing to do is to supply light and not heat."

Woodrow T. Wilson

28th US President 

Makes sense.

But how do you balance the time necessary to develop "cool judgment" versus "hasty counsel"?

Do you always know which you have?

Maybe Will Rogers had the answer.

Does Not Compute!

"There is something in omens."

Ovid

1st century BC poet

(Much too) logical managers will likely disagree with this.

Being logical is good so long as you leave some time for being illogical.

Whether Or Not You Know It . . .

"Reason also is choice."

John Milton

17th century English poet

A choice to reason or not.

What's your choice?

Wanting To Is Not Enough

"He who is firm in will molds the world to himself."

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

18th century German poet/author

A poetic argument for being strong-willed, but what this doesn't mention is the equally important need for power to back up your conviction.

And it also doesn't take into account that one can be both strong-willed and wrong at the same time.

Just beginning your career, or maybe wondering why 10 years into it, you're not getting promotions as are your peers?

Think about your will power, ability to reason, and power to influence others, in concert with each other as opposed to being separate entities.

Too much of one, too little of the others and you won't get where you want to be.

Go For It, Reasonably

"Earnestness is enthusiasm tempered by reason."

Blaise Pascal

17th century French mathematician/philosopher

Pretty astute observation, particularly coming from one who is both a mathematician and a philosopher (talk about the potential for internal conflict.)

The goal is well reasoned enthusiasm.

In Light of Reason

"Reason is a very light rider, one easily shook off."

Jonathan Swift

17th century Irish born English satirist

Business places a high value of the ability to reason but are people any better doing that at work than they are in their personal lives?

I don't think so.