Adrian Volenik
Intelligent people won’t typically tell you they’re super smart. Oh no, you will find out how smart they really are by how they act.
You see, we can demonstrate intelligence in various ways that extend beyond discussing one’s IQ.
So without further delay, here are some ways to showcase your intelligence without explicitly mentioning how high your IQ is.
1) Using metaphors
Metaphors are great for showcasing your intelligence and creativity. For instance, you can use metaphors in storytelling to convey complex ideas or emotions in a compelling and relatable manner.
My favorites are analogies. I use them to draw parallels between different concepts, domains, and topics. This helps me illustrate and clarify complex ideas to my readers.
So how exactly do metaphors show our intelligence? By creating a link between two unrelated concepts to add depth and understanding to a conversation or argument, we’re expressing our linguistic and cognitive intelligence.
They also require us to think abstractly. You must understand two different things at a deeper level and then identify a connection between them that may not be immediately obvious.
2) Remembering fine details
Whether it’s remembering someone’s coffee order from weeks ago or being able to recall minute details about a book you read a long time ago, remembering fine details shows a high level of attention and memory.
It also demonstrates attention to detail, active listening, emotional intelligence, organizational skills, and critical thinking.
Here’s a good example that can get you ahead in life.
Remembering the facts of a client’s past project in great detail can lead to better outcomes in future interactions.
If you’re a salesperson and you remember that a client mentioned they’re a golf fan, bringing this up in a future meeting might help build rapport.
3) Physical coordination
This might seem strange, but activities like juggling or dancing require not only physical skill but also complex mental processing.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence is a type of intelligence that refers to body awareness and the ability to control physical motions.
People with high kinesthetic intelligence tend to be skilled at physical activities that require hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
But physical activities often require quick, on-the-spot problem-solving too. If a pass in a football game doesn’t go as planned, players must rapidly come up with a new strategy.
So, while physical coordination might initially seem unrelated to intelligence, it actually involves a complex interplay of different cognitive skills.
People who excel in activities requiring physical coordination are likely using more mental skills than you might realize.
So jocks may well be smarter than we give them credit for, just in ways that are often undervalued or overlooked.
4) Sense of humor
Okay, enough about the jocks; let’s see how smart the comedians are. It turns out that if you have a great sense of humor, you’re also more intelligent.
Not only that but research indicates that humor has a significant impact on how we perceive individuals. We see funny people as having greater confidence, competence, and social standing.
As a result, individuals with a knack for humor possess an outstanding ability to exert influence and sway others.
Being funny often involves seeing things from a unique perspective or coming up with unexpected responses or observations. This creativity is a form of intelligence.
But it also demands mental agility and speed because it involves quick wit and the capacity to make connections rapidly between unrelated things.
5) Improvisation
Improvisation is the act (some would call it art) of creating spontaneously or within a loosely defined structure.
Whether in comedy, music, drama, or on-the-spot problem-solving, being good at improvising shows creativity, quick thinking, and adaptability.
Improvisation requires you to create new ideas, solutions, or performances on the spot. It involves divergent thinking, which is the ability to generate and merge many unique ideas into a proper outcome.
I’ve always admired people that were good at improvising anything. For me, they display the ultimate skillset and, ultimately, a higher intelligence.
That’s why one of my all-time favorite TV shows is Whose Line is it Anyway? I’m usually laughing my ass off watching it. But when I’m not, I’m thinking, how freaking smart do you have to be to think on the spot like that!
6) Intellectual curiosity
Intelligence is sexy. And there’s nothing sexier than a passion for life, knowledge, and learning.
When you display intellectual curiosity, you demonstrate a proactive and curious mindset that fuels your desire to explore, understand, and engage with the world around you.
If that curiosity involves stepping outside your comfort zone, immersing yourself in new environments, and seeking out different cultures and disciplines, even better.
But intellectual curiosity isn’t solely focused on personal learning, it also involves sharing knowledge and engaging in discussions with others.
In conclusion, show that you’re intellectually curious and continuously seeking to expand your understanding of the world to show your intelligence to others.
7) Playing chess or strategic games
Another great way of showing your intelligence without talking about your IQ is by playing chess and strategic games.
They will help you not only show but also develop high-level thinking and planning skills.
Strategic games are much more than entertainment. They serve as a reflection of your intelligence in strategic thinking.
You see, strategic games require players to make decisions based on countless factors, such as the current position, potential future moves, and the opponent’s strategies.
If you merely move the pieces without thinking, your opponents will crush you.
Strategic games are oftentimes mentally challenging, requiring players to maintain composure and emotional control throughout the game.
When you display calmness, even in the face of setbacks or unexpected moves, you also show your ability to think clearly and make rational decisions under pressure.
Although I love playing chess and Catan A LOT, I now enjoy playing Ingenious the most. It’s a fast-paced board game that’s easy to pick up by everyone but a bit harder to master. Try it!
8) Speed reading
Speed reading is a valuable skill that allows you to efficiently process large volumes of text while maintaining a grasp on what you just read.
Speed reading can be particularly beneficial for studying purposes. But it’s not for everyone, that’s for sure.
Nonetheless, by quickly scanning and comprehending the material, you can optimize your study time and cover more topics.
This highlights your ability to effectively summarize the content of challenging books or texts. It also demonstrates your skill in extracting important information efficiently.
The thing about showing people you can speed read is that they probably won’t believe you. But you shouldn’t have that issue if you can back it up with good grades or success at work.
I tried doing it many years ago but concluded it killed my enjoyment of reading. My inner voice was also slowing me down as it was vocalizing words I was reading. Ultimately, subduing it was more difficult than I thought.
9) Strong work ethic
A strong work ethic is another powerful indicator of your intelligence and character. By displaying how hardworking you are, you basically showcase your dedication, persistence, and discipline in your work.
You also demonstrate you have a genuine passion for your work and strive for the highest standards. Your dedication drives you to put in the necessary effort, time, and focus to produce high-quality results, and it shows.
For example, we have Marie Curie, the pioneering scientist and Nobel laureate who is still recognized for her extraordinary work ethic in radioactivity.
Her tireless dedication to research, countless hours spent in the laboratory, and unwavering commitment to scientific discovery have left an unforgettable mark on the world of science.
To illustrate this, she was:
- The first woman to win a Nobel Prize,
- The first person and the only woman to win a Nobel Prize twice, and
- The only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields.
On the other side of the spectrum is Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players ever.
His work ethic was legendary. His relentless training, focus on improvement, and competitive drive pushed him to reach unprecedented success and become an icon in the sports world and beyond.
It just goes to show that a strong work ethic can propel you to great heights in whatever field you’re in.
10) Innovative thinking
And lastly, we have innovative thinking. By displaying your ability to think outside the box and generate creative ideas, you show how to approach problems from unconventional angles and suggest innovative solutions.
Sharing examples of your creativity and originality can highlight your intelligence. It’s as simple as that.
The iPhone, for example, transformed the mobile phone industry by integrating innovative features like the touchscreen, an intuitive user experience, and a wide range of apps.
But you don’t have to go as far as inventing a new product. Simply reveal some of your original thoughts, or showcase your ability to think independently and produce outstanding work.
Now go out there and show them what you got!
