Is the C-Level candidate smart?
A private company, BOD, asked me if there was an easy way to estimate a C-level candidate’s intelligence. My list may not be complete or the most accurate. Still, it is an easy way to measure the candidate’s intelligence. Intelligent and visionary C-levels:
- Read. Read everything.
My junior school English teacher, Mr. E.R.R. Menon often emphasized that intelligent people read. I took his advice to heart and continued to read extensively. I’ve delved into the great epics of Illiad, Mahabharata, Odyssey, and Ramayana and explored various genres, from fiction to nonfiction, space travel to Sci-Fi, the human race to the universe, and more. I may not be highly intelligent, but I certainly look the part.
It’s no coincidence that most top business leaders and world politicians are avid readers. Their intellectual curiosity and thirst for knowledge are the primary drivers of their success.
- Draw analogies.
They generate ‘Aha’ moments by drawing analogies. They connect unfamiliar things, concepts, and experiences with those they are familiar with to understand the new and explain them to others.
When negotiating a deal, you will set a precedent if you give up something without getting something in return. The other side will come back for more freebies. It is like giving a piece of meat to wolves chasing your sled. The wolves will finish the handout quickly and begin chasing the sled faster.
- Learn from analogs.
Why do people read history books? They learn from similar situations and their outcomes in the past. Kodak, Blackberry, the Hotel Industry, the Auto Rental Industry, and several others fell prey to Marketing Myopia. Why? They should have addressed evolving technologies and their impact on their business.
Politicians often forget the effects of illegal immigration because of vote-bank politics. They can learn from similar situations in other countries and be cautious.
- Focus on issues.
Socrates said,” Strong (great) minds discuss ideas and issues, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people (or their personalities).”
Intelligent people can argue logically without getting emotional or insulting others. Of course, to argue productively, all parties must define and understand the issue the same way.
Those proposing a two-state solution for the Israel – Palestine conflict see territorial dispute as the issue. Is it? Students of history know that the real issue is rooted in Islamic belief that calls for the annihilation of all non-Islamic people.
- Understand fast and explain complicated topics in a simple form.
They readily grasp new concepts or unfamiliar issues and gain consent on the crux of the challenge. They quickly translate a complicated explanation into something that makes sense and is simple. They can explain a complex subject clearly and succinctly to others without sounding condescending.
Louis Vincent Gerstner Jr. turned IBM’s fortunes around. Even though he was CEO of RJR Nabisco, a consumer packaged goods company, before joining IBM, he quickly grasped the company’s real problems and found the best solutions.
- Ask good questions about a variety of topics.
They are curious and, therefore, ask questions about a variety of stuff and have exciting conversations.
- Show quiet confidence.
They can confidently discuss all sides without making the discussion a circular argument.
Dr. Jaishankar, the Indian foreign minister, has mastered the art of confident diplomacy and consistently defuses otherwise contentious political issues.
- Don’t broadcast or compete.
Intelligent people refrain from prying and interrogating others about their knowledge or field of work. They understand that others can be smart, too. It’s not a contest. They don’t go around telling other people how smart they are.
- Stay attentive and aware.
They make keen observations about minuscule things, which shows how attentive and aware they are. Therefore, they can connect the dots. They are very good at extrapolating from incomplete data.
- Listen and are not just waiting to talk.
They listen and ask good questions. Asking questions is only helpful if you are willing to listen to complete answers without interruptions. They always make more headway in conversations by listening to others rather than monopolizing the conversation.
- Think on their feet.
In my negotiations workshop, I encourage participants to take a quick adjournment to respond appropriately to the other side. This action fosters adaptability and allows participants to think of different solutions when circumstances change.
- Make you laugh.
No. You do not have to be a professional comedian. However, research shows that people with good humor are also highly intelligent. Good humor requires making the connection, having good timing, and being able to read the other side. It’s easier to do all that by being intelligent, too.
I would love to hear about your experiences! Please share your stories at satishmehtausa@gmail.com. Please forward this knowledge letter to those who could benefit from it. They can subscribe to it here or by clicking on the link below.
Thank you,
