They Embrace Humility When Uncertain

As Neil deGrasse Tyson wisely stated, “Admitting what you don’t know is not shameful; pretending to know everything is.”

One of my friends, who works in human resources at a major company, shared a technique he uses during interviews. He poses challenging questions that candidates are unlikely to answer correctly.

“What kinds of questions?” I asked.

“For instance, how vast is the universe? Which stock will yield the best returns next year? At what point do a few grains of sand become a pile?”

He noted that candidates who admit to not knowing the answers stand out positively. “It indicates a willingness to learn,” he explained. “That’s incredibly valuable.”

Don’t shy away from being humble. It’s perfectly acceptable to acknowledge gaps in your knowledge, as no one has a complete grasp of the universe.

They Seek Out Greater Challenges

For a long time, I aspired to be the most knowledgeable person in any gathering. The allure of being a big fish in a small pond was enticing, but I soon realized the drawbacks.

Why is that?

Being the biggest fish can stifle personal development and limit new opportunities. In contrast, highly intelligent individuals understand the value of being a smaller fish in a larger pond. According to Success Magazine, they actively network, listen, and connect with those who inspire their growth. “Gaining new perspectives is invaluable.”

Forge relationships with individuals who have accomplished what you aspire to achieve. Reach out via email or LinkedIn, and aim for genuine connections (without spamming them).

They Recognize the Value of Empathy

As highlighted by Berkley’s Greater Good Magazine, “Connecting empathically with others—feeling with them, caring for their well-being, and acting compassionately—is essential to our lives.”

Therefore, empathy is a crucial component of emotional intelligence. It involves understanding and sharing others' feelings. To enhance your emotional intelligence, practice empathy with loved ones.

Engage actively in conversations, put yourself in others' positions, and strive to find common ground during disagreements.

They Simplify Complex Concepts

According to VeryWellMind, individuals with strong linguistic-verbal intelligence excel at using words effectively, both in writing and speaking. They often possess remarkable storytelling skills and can easily memorize information.

While many can retain facts, I have often struggled in that area. My difficulty in grasping intricate concepts often led to boredom in classes, particularly during biology lessons filled with jargon.

One day, a substitute teacher replaced our regular professor and communicated with us in a straightforward manner. He broke down complex biological concepts into digestible explanations, making it significantly easier for me to understand.

Whether intentional or not, this approach greatly enhanced my learning experience. Aim to learn new topics through simple explanations and gradually tackle more complex ideas. Though these steps may seem minor, they can profoundly affect your capacity to learn and articulate new information.

Want to receive updates whenever I publish a new article? Click here. If you found this post insightful, please show your appreciation by giving it plenty of claps.