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One reason: the scope of the book is very limited. In a time when a lot of predictive success is based on tests of inert intelligence, such as IQ or the tests required for most college admissions (SAT and ACT), the author argues that practicality and creativity largely go unrecognized.
The author's personal experience in fourth grade had a profound impact. Labeled a dummy by previous teachers because of the results of his IQ test ("just one more loser in the game of life") his naive fourth grade teacher expected more of him and wonder of wonders, he delivered. As a result, he observes, "one of the biggest obstacles to the development of what I call successful intelligence is negative expectations on the part of authority figures."
Early in this book I found a statement everyone should put on the wall where they work: "Successfully intelligent people realize that the environment in which they find themselves may or may not enable them to make the most of their talents. They actively seek an environment where they can not only do competent work but make a difference. They create their own opportunities rather than let their opportunities be limited by the circumstances in which they happen to find themselves."
And the last chapter is really the payoff: 20 personal attributes and corresponding performances that are not measured by conventional intelligence tests. They're worth watching for in yourself and others.
Michael Pellecchia writes about business and finance books each month He can be reached at michael_pellecchia@bookpage.com.
©1996, ProMotion, inc.
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