practical intelligence

1. What You Need To KnowAbout Practical Intelligence Practical intelligence isn’t as common as you’d think. A lucky few are born wit it. But what about the rest ofus? What exactly is practical intelligence? This question may be tougher to answer than we previouslythought. In the 1900s, scientists reduced intelligence down to a single digit: the G Factor. And it’s from these tests that our modern IQ testsemerged. Let’s be honest, measuring a person’s intelligence with a single number seems pretty limiting. And that’s exactly why Robert Sternberg came up with an entirely different approach: the triarchic theory ofintelligence.

2. What Are Sternberg’s Three Types OfIntelligence? • For Sternberg, intelligence is much more than a number. In fact, Sternberg’s theory of intelligence goes beyond books and abstract thinking to offer a more concrete approach. • For decades, Sternberg has worked to find a predictable measure of lifelong success. The standard IQ test was not a great predictor of one’s success because it can only measure a narrow range of analytical abilities. And according to Sternberg, success in life is based on a completely different set ofskills. • Sternberg believes practical intelligence is the best indicator oflifelong • success. And practical intelligence is just one component of his theory. The triarchic theory of intelligenceincorporates three types of intelligence,including: • Analytical Intelligence: the ability to analyze, critique, andevaluate. • Creative Intelligence: the ability to discover, invent, and create newsolutions. • Practical Intelligence: the ability to apply, use, and implement what you know.

3. What Is Practical Intelligence InPsychology? Practical intelligence is the intelligence of common sense reasoning.Some people call it street smarts. It’s the ability to think on your feet in everyday dilemmas that require immediatesolutions. This form of intelligence also helps in navigating tough negotiations and embracing challenges on the fly. Those with practical intelligence are adaptive andreflexive. They change their approach to suit the requirements of the environment andsituation. Those with strong practical intelligence stand out. This form of intelligence can also translate itself as social savvy — the ability to communicate well and build good rapport withteams. Which Test Is Used To Measure PracticalIntelligence?

4. To measure practical intelligence, Sternberg uses something he calls: tacit knowledge. Tacit knowledge has threecharacteristics: • It incorporates the practical knowledge of how to performtasks • It’s intuitive and gained from experience not easily transferred or writtendown • It’s personal and intimate to the user, often learned without instruction or guidance • Sternberg’s tests of tacit knowledgeare based on common challenges we face in the real world. The more expertise you’ve acquired in your chosen field demonstrates that you’ve acquired tacitknowledge. • Those who are skilled at developing tacit knowledge perform well in roles that incorporate management, sales, academia, and psychology. How Do You Develop PracticalIntelligence?

5. Some people are born with a natural predisposition for practical intelligence. But even if you feel your street smarts are lacking, there arethings you can do to improveit. Here are two crucial habits that will help you grow your practicalintelligence: Openness andflexibility For centuries, Buddhists have demonstrated that one of the major obstacles to learning is fixed thinking. Fixed thinking is the belief that we already know all that weneed. When your glass is full, there’s not much you can add,right? Instead, try working toward what Buddhistscall the beginner’s mind. Let go of all you think you know and allow yourself to start fresh. This is the best way to free yourself from old assumptions. You may even discover a blind spot or two that has been holding youback. Learning is the best way to develop your practical intelligence. And the ability to learn with efficiency is itself a skill worthdeveloping. As Jim Kwik, Author of Mindvalley’s Superbrain Questexplains, “It’s not how smart you are, but how you are smart. If knowledge is power, learning is yoursuperpower.” Solution focusedthinking Sometimes, it feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. With so much to deal with, it’s not always easy to find a solution. This mental habit is called problem focused thinking. And one way to tackle this is by changing the scope of yourfocus. Instead of focusing on your problems, set yourself the challenge of focusing on potential solutions. Focus on the things you can change. Focus on the things in your life that are positive and make you feelgood.

6. If you can’t change something, see if you can change the way you feel about it. You may not always have control over your external circumstances, but you dohave control over how you choose to react to what’s happening aroundyou. Develop your practical intelligence by developing a beginners mind and practicing solution focused thinking. You may surprise yourself with just how much these simple mental practices can change yourlife.