Principles, Parenting & Purpose

The Seven Intelligences

June 14, 2022

The concept of multiple intelligences broadens our understanding of how people differ in their learning styles and cognitive strengths. It suggests that intelligence is not a one-dimensional trait but rather a spectrum of abilities that individuals possess in varying degrees.

I was first introduced to this idea through Michael Gelb’s How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci in 1993, and it has fascinated me ever since. Gelb’s work draws upon Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, which categorizes intelligence—each with unique cognitive abilities.

For years, I had heard about Emotional Intelligence and encountered skepticism surrounding its validity. However, when I revisited this list of seven intelligences, I began to appreciate the depth of the need for multiple axes of intelligence:

Logical-Mathematical—Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, Marie Curie: The ability to reason, solve mathematical problems, and think logically.

Verbal-Linguistic—William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Jorge Luis Borges: Strength in language, storytelling, and literary expression.

Spatial-Mechanical—Michelangelo, Georgia O’Keeffe, Buckminster Fuller: Talent for visualizing and manipulating physical space.

Musical—Mozart, George Gershwin, Ella Fitzgerald: Mastery of sound, rhythm, and musical expression.

Bodily-Kinesthetic—Morihei Ueshiba, Muhammad Ali, F. M. Alexander: The capacity to use one’s body effectively in movement or performance.

Interpersonal-Social—Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth I: The ability to understand and relate to others, fostering deep social connections.

Intrapersonal (Self-knowledge)—Viktor Frankl, Thich Nhat Hanh, Mother Teresa: Profound self-awareness, reflecting on one’s thoughts, feelings, and motives.

Reflecting on these different intelligences encourages us to ask ourselves:

Which intelligences do I naturally excel in?

How have these strengths shaped my personal and professional life?

What are the areas where I could develop further?

Understanding and nurturing these diverse dimensions can bring greater balance to our lives. As we explore our unique combination of intelligences, we move closer to achieving Ikegai—the intersection of what we love, what we’re good at, and what the world needs.

Which intelligence do you enjoy cultivating most? How will you use it to contribute to the world?