Psychologists agree: smarter-than-average people all share these two remarkable abilities
In today’s fast-moving, competitive workplace, being seen as highly intelligent can make a real difference to your career. Psychologists agree that being more intelligent than average isn’t just about technical know-how. It’s about developing specific skills that help you navigate the workplace more smoothly and leave a strong impression on peers and superiors. What makes these insights so useful is how you can put them into practice day to day, improving your chances of success and progression.
The power of accepting criticism
One major sign of intelligence, according to psychologists, is the ability to take criticism in a constructive way. This skill means seeing feedback as a means to get better rather than as a personal attack. Whether the critique is positive or negative, people who are more intelligent than average have the psychological resilience to treat it as a chance to learn and grow. They don’t get discouraged or take constructive remarks the wrong way.
They’re good at active listening, too — they’ll take the time to properly understand someone else’s point of view before replying. Actively asking colleagues and superiors for feedback shows they’re serious about improving. By posing thoughtful questions, they collect detailed opinions on their performance, which helps them refine how they work.
How they put analytical thinking to work
The other defining trait is analytical thinking. After receiving criticism, above-average thinkers will carefully analyse and reflect on what they’ve been told. They use this introspection to put helpful suggestions into practice and tackle any weaknesses that come up. This ongoing loop of feedback and improvement helps maintain steady professional development.
These people aren’t satisfied with just ticking off daily tasks. They push to improve their methods strategically, keep their cool, and organise their workload effectively. That approach not only boosts their current performance but also shows they can adapt and succeed in more complex situations.
Building professional relationships and showing maturity
By taking criticism on board intelligently, people earn trust and respect from colleagues and superiors. Their openness to dialogue and readiness to engage with feedback signals a proactive attitude and professional maturity that not many demonstrate. Employers and colleagues value these traits because they show a commitment to ongoing development.
Employees who focus on these strategies stand out by mixing technical ability with smart workplace behaviours. Their knack for staying composed and organised when handling tasks fits a broader idea of intelligence — not just IQ, but a mix of social and cognitive skills. Those abilities sit well in professional environments and help cement a reputation as among the smartest people in a team.
In the end, these two competencies highlight a view shared by psychologists: intelligence is multidimensional, combining cognitive skills with strategic behaviours. By welcoming feedback and sharpening their analytical thinking, people improve their own performance and help create a workplace where growth and development are encouraged and celebrated. That benefits the individuals themselves and adds to workplace culture, motivating others to follow suit in their push for professional excellence.