Intelligence is a funny thing, and some people obviously have a lot more of it than others. There are different aspects to discussing intelligence, such as common sense and what is generally accepted as the ability to measure the capacity for human intelligence. This would be widely known as the intelligence quotient, or IQ.
Let me preface by explaining that in the business in which I choose to make a living I get to see a very broad dynamic of people who correspondingly cover a wide spectrum of respective intelligence quotients and the capacity to learn and speak with an ability to get their points across in a clear and concise manner. This would cover both people that come in as customers and people that are hired. I recently hired two guys that I would consider sharp. When I say sharp, this would mean that their capacity is above normal, with 100 to 115 points generally being accepted to be the average intelligence quotient on standardized tests. I would say these two are above normal by fifteen or twenty points respectively. My most recent hire has intrigued me the most of late, simply because he is one of the few people that I’ve ever met that can hold their own when discussing anything from the histories and beliefs of the myriad religions of the world (even with our respective beliefs being nearly opposite), all the way to the merging of Einstein’s theory of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics as discussed and extensively studied by Stephen Hawking with respect to time, space, black holes, and how they relate to each other in the continuum. With my other hire from a little more than a year ago, I can discuss -at great length- camshaft lobe separation, degrees of duration, valve lift, and the effects of a crossover pipe in the exhaust of a Generation III Chevrolet V8 and what they all can do to contribute to increased horsepower and torque.
I have to fight the inclination to get into discussions with these two because it is my job to make sure they are being productive and earning the salary that the owner of our establishment has graciously given me the authority to dispense. It is rare that I can talk to anyone that gets my mental juices flowing, and these two have done that in many different ways. I have to both learn and teach simultaneously. I have to learn how to properly manage these two dynamic and active personalities, but I also have to teach them how to do their jobs in the most efficient manner possible. This is easy to do (put my foot down) when they get into a deep discussion about music, MySpace, or whether or not Dumb and Dumber should be on the never ending list of good movies. Keeping them busy is a balancing act, and one with which I must concede, I don’t have an abundance of experience. Anyone that knows me well will tell you that I will always be in pursuit of knowledge, even if it is as simple as learning how to keep others busy. There’s an innate human desire to be the good guy, held in high esteem, and at the same time, garner respect. I have to be the bad guy when those discussions get a little out of control and impair efficiency, but it’s a lot harder to do when the discussions intrigue me and get the engine in my brain revving like the wicked purr from an eight cylinder Ferrari engine.
I was guilty of falling victim to the latter this morning when Nikola Tesla and the highest recorded IQs were brought up. Curiously, Tesla wasn’t on any list I found in a short Google search. It’s been widely touted on the web this election season that Obama has an IQ of 124. I’m not sure if he’s actually taken a standardized test for this, but I would venture a guess that the estimate is close. This would put him in the above average to gifted range, and a tad outside of the genius range which starts around 145. Whatever his IQ, I just hope he does a good job of occupying the most important seat in the most important house in the world. Meanwhile, I’ll just have to strive to be one of the best managers money can buy.
Let me preface by explaining that in the business in which I choose to make a living I get to see a very broad dynamic of people who correspondingly cover a wide spectrum of respective intelligence quotients and the capacity to learn and speak with an ability to get their points across in a clear and concise manner. This would cover both people that come in as customers and people that are hired. I recently hired two guys that I would consider sharp. When I say sharp, this would mean that their capacity is above normal, with 100 to 115 points generally being accepted to be the average intelligence quotient on standardized tests. I would say these two are above normal by fifteen or twenty points respectively. My most recent hire has intrigued me the most of late, simply because he is one of the few people that I’ve ever met that can hold their own when discussing anything from the histories and beliefs of the myriad religions of the world (even with our respective beliefs being nearly opposite), all the way to the merging of Einstein’s theory of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics as discussed and extensively studied by Stephen Hawking with respect to time, space, black holes, and how they relate to each other in the continuum. With my other hire from a little more than a year ago, I can discuss -at great length- camshaft lobe separation, degrees of duration, valve lift, and the effects of a crossover pipe in the exhaust of a Generation III Chevrolet V8 and what they all can do to contribute to increased horsepower and torque.
I have to fight the inclination to get into discussions with these two because it is my job to make sure they are being productive and earning the salary that the owner of our establishment has graciously given me the authority to dispense. It is rare that I can talk to anyone that gets my mental juices flowing, and these two have done that in many different ways. I have to both learn and teach simultaneously. I have to learn how to properly manage these two dynamic and active personalities, but I also have to teach them how to do their jobs in the most efficient manner possible. This is easy to do (put my foot down) when they get into a deep discussion about music, MySpace, or whether or not Dumb and Dumber should be on the never ending list of good movies. Keeping them busy is a balancing act, and one with which I must concede, I don’t have an abundance of experience. Anyone that knows me well will tell you that I will always be in pursuit of knowledge, even if it is as simple as learning how to keep others busy. There’s an innate human desire to be the good guy, held in high esteem, and at the same time, garner respect. I have to be the bad guy when those discussions get a little out of control and impair efficiency, but it’s a lot harder to do when the discussions intrigue me and get the engine in my brain revving like the wicked purr from an eight cylinder Ferrari engine.
I was guilty of falling victim to the latter this morning when Nikola Tesla and the highest recorded IQs were brought up. Curiously, Tesla wasn’t on any list I found in a short Google search. It’s been widely touted on the web this election season that Obama has an IQ of 124. I’m not sure if he’s actually taken a standardized test for this, but I would venture a guess that the estimate is close. This would put him in the above average to gifted range, and a tad outside of the genius range which starts around 145. Whatever his IQ, I just hope he does a good job of occupying the most important seat in the most important house in the world. Meanwhile, I’ll just have to strive to be one of the best managers money can buy.
2 comments:
I am so glad to FINALLY be reading yet another wonderful blog. I look for these blogs daily, almost as a yearning feeling in a sense. A feeling that speaks volume to me and says, "what can Chris and I debate about today." I am first to admit we do not see eye to eye on alot of things. I do however find it interesting that it is almost "competetive" to prove to you my point of things. To achieve that self-gratification. I love this about our relationship, along with we both accept one anothers beliefs and love each other unconditionally regardless.
Nikola Tesla was a name you spoke of, that made me chukkle to myself, for the simple fact if I could compare you to someone or name a certain someone that reminded me of you, Nikola Tesla would be my choice. Ironic if I do say so myself. I can hear you now, "no way in hell Mandroni knows who Nikola is"!!
You remind me of him on many different levels. One being of course the electrical avenue. I remember as a kid, you taking apart electronics, just to put them back together again. To see how they work. You built your own computer, from bits and pieces. Your owm motorcycle. Need I go on? You are, by far, the most talented, artistic person I know. You are like Dad in the sense that when you read a book, that knowledge is forever imbedded in your brain. I have always found myself jealous of you two for that. I would give my pinky toe to be able to draw like you. Be as smart as you. Of course it is only now, 2 children later, I am woman enough to admit that to you! You are one amazing man, Christopher Zachary Nash. You have many talents you need to let shine more often. I am proud to say you are my brother and had you been born in the mid 1800's, Tesla would not have stood a chance. No doubt they would be calling you the, "Father of Physics".
124 is gifted? Who knew.
I had mine tested, it was 147. There are days I can' butter bread and although I have many talents, running a country would not be one of them.
Some of the mmost innately talented people I know don't have a high IQ, and other people I've met, with a lower one, through just diligence, do well for themselves.
It's an interesting concept but I don't think simply having a higher IQ makes one successful or a good leader. Would be interesting to see some studies on it. . but I need to go try and butter this bread.
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