Are you a leader? If so, pay attention to your intellectual horsepower—the ability to think, understand, learn and decide well. Importantly, this horsepower is not just native smartness or Intelligence Quotient. Regardless of what the objective tests show, your past degree, title or rank cannot keep pace with today’s explosive rate of information growth.
In the Industrial Age, intelligence was measured by the quantity of information you had learned and how well you could process it. In today’s Information Age, it is measured by how quickly you can access information and assimilate it. This is the great leveler that often gives the high school graduate advantage over the PhD graduate. Do not be seduced into feeling important about what you remember from yesterday’s facts or the yellowing diplomas on your wall. Learn the big secret of being smart today.
The secret: Today, intellectual horsepower correlates directly with two skills: 1) Your adeptness at learning to use technology, and 2) Your skill at asking questions—the right questions, abundant questions. Finding answers is relatively easy, but the right question is far more powerful than the answers. Three of the most powerful questions are: Why? Why not? What if? Ask!
QUESTIONS:
What will happen to PhDs, Masters and Bachelors graduates who take pleasure in their previous learning? Do you have the intellectual horsepower to flex, open up and transform? If not, God rest your soul.
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Individuals who find joy in their academic accomplishments, such as obtaining a PhD, Master’s, or Bachelor’s degree, tend to remain involved in learning through diverse avenues. They might pursue additional education, conduct research, teach, apply their knowledge in various industries, communicate their expertise through writing and speaking, engage with their communities, or advocate for lifelong learning. These activities enable them to continue contributing to their fields while sharing their enthusiasm for learning and benefiting society.
Persons who take pleasure in their learning will strive to improve on what they have learned through research and further studying and some will try to make discoveries in their fields. As people go further in their education they realize that there is a lot more to discover and learn about their field of study so they will have to decide either to keep going further and doing research or to stop where they are and choose to work at that level or teach others. This article has given me a new outlook on how things I can work on and things I should do when meeting persons who are advanced in the field I am going down, maybe asking them more questions about what they do to get at their level or basic things I need to know to help me through my field.
I believe that graduates who got pleasure from their previous learning experiences, whether at the PhD, Master’s, or Bachelor’s level, are likely to continue seeking opportunities for lifelong intellectual growth and development. The passion/pleasure they got from learning serves as a powerful driving force which propels them towards further exploration and discovery within their fields of interest. Yes, I believe I possess the intellectual horsepower to flex, open up, and transform within an educational context. My passion for learning extends beyond simply acquiring knowledge but as an opportunity for personal and intellectual growth and a willingness to explore new ideas, and a readiness to adapt to evolving perspectives.
And yet, Jonelle, my executive leadership coaching exposes me to quite a large number of highly educated persons with letters as long as their names, who are full of yesterday’s learning and almost devoid of wisdom, empathy and earned trust.
Learning is always a lifelong journey. It doesn’t matter where you are in life, learning never ends. New concepts emerge everyday and difference in opinions can cause new phenomena to come about. Mastering an area gives us a good understanding of what it is but as time progresses, changes are inevitable and new ideas will come into play.
While obtaining a graduate degree represents significant dedication and hard work, it’s essential to recognize that the landscape of intelligence and success is continually evolving. While pride in one’s academic achievements is understandable and valid, it’s equally important to remain open-minded and adaptable in the face of rapid technological advancements and information growth. The ability to learn, adapt, and ask insightful questions are crucial skills in today’s dynamic world, and they complement the knowledge gained through formal education. Rather than resting solely on past accomplishments, embracing a mindset of continuous learning and intellectual curiosity can ensure ongoing growth and relevance in an ever-changing environment.