Leadership - A discussion of traits, characteristics, and current news of leaders.

I had a hard time coming up with 15 that apply to me. I finally managed 11.
And those 11 fell into 6 of the 8 fields.

What does that mean?

Something like, I can't make up mind?

Actually, it means much more than you are giving yourself credit for! You are simply operating stronger out of 6 mental domains (intelligences). Others will operate very stong in few -- which is fine too.

The key is to find doable strategies that enable you to use the intelligences where you show stronger acumen, and at the same time, develop the ones which show up weaker for you.

We tend to use less than 5% of our brains often -- why not ratchet it up a little I say:-)

For example I used to be a clutz kinesthetically and now I golf (and love the game!) because I looked for ways to develop that part of my brain more. Ok, today I nailed a few trees out there but it gets better weekly:-).

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Makes me think about the value of balance that comes from using more than one or two intelligences on a given day.

The President of my company brings good leadership through enthusiasm, support, good listening skills, his sense of humor, good decisions; and because he enjoys his job, it helps you enjoy your job.

In a world where logical-mathematical seems to be the most hailed form of intelligence, it's reassuring to be reminded of the other intelligences and their value!

Hey CPB, Sounds like your boss has very high interpersonal (support, good listening skills) and intrapersonal (enthusiasm, personal passion)intelligences. Now there is a boss we could all use! Thanks for your comments!

WLB, thanks for your reminder that while we live in a world where logical-mathematical seems to be the most hailed form of intelligence, the rest of us can find a place to fit too! In fact we actually do better in weaker intelligences when we get valued for our strengths. Now how often does that happen at work? Ok, maybe with your comment we could make more of a start....

Mine was all over. I had 1-3 for each, except for Naturalistic. What does that mean?

Hi Melissa, oh naturalistic intelligence is fun to develop, and believe it or not it can be useful to help us solve business problems. Let me give a scenario, Ok? There are hundreds of possibilities -- I'll give one here.

Business leader is dissatisfied with the productivity of a team on a project. That leader's strength is naturalistic and so he or she takes the bunch on a hike to brainstorm new ideas. Nature inspires amazing responses, adds serotonin, and the hike actually adds oxygen to the brain for better thinking and for more intelligent responses to a problem.

Not to bore you, but this intelligence can benefit us daily -- even inside an office -- and it gives teams competitive advantages over other blokes who leave their naturalistic acumen at home, and stress us out or veg out themselves in the concrete jungles we create.

Think I'll go for a walk along the Erie canal and think about your great question some more... Thanks for asking:-)

which, I guess, explains why people have different reactions or solutions to the same situation. so, does that mean that if we try to understand the strength of others, we would understand more the steps taken (esp. if it differs from what we think should be the logical solution)?

Hmmm... interesting.

My office (in Frankfurt) is right beside the Main river. Since naturalistic seem to be my "weakness", I should probably try something. Not swim, though. haha

What about carting along a question to rev up a new solution to some specific area you've been thinking about, while to walk.

You could ask, How can I ...? Then relax, walk, enjoy nature and prepare to celebrate the refreshing solution that will pop into your head!

Hey, tell us what happens --- Ok, Melissa?

Remember the infamous quote" the mind is a terrible thing to waste"! When I met Ellen about five years ago that phrase took on a whole new meaning for me. The vast majority of us humans do not utilize even a small fraction of our brain's capacity! Why is that? lack of imagination? Lack of adventure? Lack of challenge? Lack of wanting to be different than our peers? I don't know the answer but am willing to hear other thoughts on this.

Reg, thanks for your kind words. You are a leader who taught all of us so much and now we'll await a new economy in wasted health care dollars because of parts of the brain you have going at breakneck speeds. Wow -- I love your questions about why we use so little....

Part of the reason I suspect is also because we buy into outmoded myths about the brain -- so we tend to miss the good stuff we lug around but forget to use.

Another reason is that we forget that fun and smart go together! Interestingly Einstein learned most when he was having fun and that adds another new angle to the day! How about yours?

I read this this thread with great interest so I took the survey. One question -- I had a high bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. How do I use that to my advantage in my job?

Hi Joe, Thanks for your comments about an intelligence often overlooked and yet valuable as a workplace tool.

Likely you do best at building, moving, or athletic kinds of projects, and so the key is to simply use these more. Other might give PP, you could build a mock-up to show new idea.

Rather than sitting to come up with an idea, why not walk, or move through the premises more to communicate rather than use email at your desk...

Take time out with others like to to share ideas over golf, hikes, ballgames or a daily run and you can replace some of the more passive work with movement that builds business deals.

Other kinesthetic workers out there likely have even better ideas...

I've talked myself into a walk to nail down a few insights for a brain based project I am doing in Ireland soon....

Reg and all, when I think about hidden or unused parts of the human brain I think about the photographic view progressively from a galaxy into the depth of the smallest atom particles of earth. The incredible site from a science professor who writes books about the philosophy of science said it best.

Here is a link to that website to show the space between what we know and what we don't, as you see the earth viewed from millions of light years and then closer and closer - a photography lover's delight:-).

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/

The survey was pretty accurate regarding what I would perceive to be my intelligences. I agree that effective leaders draws from multiple intelligences. Useful stuff! Interesting how my intelligences have changed over the years.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Gary, and your reactions left me curious about two things:

First, "How did your intelligences change over the years?"

And second, "have you had leaders who used more intelligences and what difference did that make where you were concerned?"

I'd love to hear more:-)

When I am at my best, strongest, most creative, “on my game” is when I have complete balance and do not focus on one particular area of my life.

Understanding the importance of this and how it relates to the brain is important.

I have noticed on days that I don’t listen to music (Musical), practice putting (Bodily-Kinesthetic), or go for a hike in the woods (Naturalistic) my life has less gusto.

I can understand how important the eight intelligences are to enriching daily life and creating pleasure.

Jeffrey, research would back you on this one cause we now know that whenever we lead with our strengths we shore up other parts of the schedule that we find more challenging.

On a good day we likely grow a dendrite brain cell or two in these other brain areas also. Thanks for keeping those cells alive with us, and for your post!