BusinessWeek Logo

Microsoft focuses too much on IQ

Posted by: Stephen Baker on May 05

Catching up on blog reading, I came across this recent piece in Linux Journal. Here Doc Searls upbraids Microsoft for focusing too much on a very narrow definition of intelligence, and giving far too much weight to IQ. In the tech world that I’m seeing, the keys to innovation include:
* curiosity
* knowledge of other cultures
* readiness to cross into different disciplines
* good communications skills
* mastery over at least one specialty
Hire someone who has those five covered, and you won’t have to worry about IQ.

TrackBack URL for this entry: http://blogs.businessweek.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/

Reader Comments

Martin Lindeskog

May 5, 2005 10:39 AM

I think the crucial thing is how you use your intelligence, instead of only focus on the level of IQ. It is important to see the big picture. The winning formula is to integrate a rational epistemology together with an individualist perspective as an ethical guide in your business decisions. For more on this topic, please read my post, Business Leaders And Ethics (03/20/05).

Justin

July 27, 2005 07:21 PM

Absolutely. Intelligence is very important but it is not everything, in-fact, it is merely potential. Those five characteristics plus will- power and perserverance are what seperates successful people from the average. A lot of guys on the tour have just as much talent as Tiger Woods, he has the mental will-power to crush his opponents. It is not just intelligence it is your conviction and how you apply your intelligence.

Post a comment

 

About

In Blogspotting Senior Writer Stephen Baker and Associate Editor Heather Green take a look at how cutting-edge technologies are changing business and society. Whether its blogs or wikis, data crunching or data targeting, technology’s advances are reshaping the world that we live in.

RSS Feed: Blogspotting

BW Mall - Sponsored Links