CerebrumIQ Reviews the Average IQ for Managers and Executives

General intelligence (IQ) tests have a long and controversial history. However, there are a few things that most experts today agree on. IQ can be measured; it stays the same as early as age 5 and it can predict many good things, like how well you will do in your professional and private life. But in popular society, being too smart is often tied to being weird around other people. Of course, this is not always the case but rather a tendency.

IQ and Leadership

Assuming that there is a straight link between intelligence and healthy leadership is a very reasonable thing to do. Studies have shown that leaders in top management roles do better than average people in both mental and physical areas. But for every person who becomes a top manager in a big company, there are usually more than a hundred people below them who score better on traits we think of as manager-like while none of them become CEOs.

What makes a top leader different from the rest of the people is that they are very unique. But when you compare them to a big group of smart people in the general public, these leaders don’t usually stand out as the best. Big names like Michael Dell, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg all got to the top before they turned 30. These cases have made it easy for us to think that some people are almost born to be CEOs. And that’s true.

IQ Research Data

A study found that top leaders are among the 5% of people in the group with the best thinking skills. What is more, they are also among the 17% of people who score the best on a test assessing their non-cognitive skills. These numbers prove that non-cognitive skills are more important than thinking skills if you want to become a CEO. You should be able to effectively communicate with others and take the lead in order to perform well in a managerial position.

But is there a certain IQ level that makes someone a good leader? There could really be one. A new large-scale study found that leaders with an IQ of around 120 are likely to be very effective. Since 100 is the “normal” IQ score, the most powerful leaders are clearly smarter than most people. On an IQ test, less than 20% of people get scores above 120. So this score is not bad at all. On the other hand, it’s not even close to the best score possible. Almost 20% of people score higher than that.

EQ vs. IQ

When it comes to managerial success, emotional intelligence (EQ) can be just as important as intellectual intelligence (IQ). While IQ measures cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and logical reasoning, EQ measures one’s ability to recognize and manage their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. A manager with high EQ can effectively communicate, empathize, and inspire their team.All these lead to improved productivity and job satisfaction. Therefore, it’s crucial for managers to develop both their IQ and EQ to become well-rounded leaders. Let’s look at how the best leaders combine and balance the two.

High EQ in Leadership Translates into

• Being self-aware — Leaders who have a high EQ are aware of and good at controlling their emotions. They know what their strengths and weaknesses are and are ready to work on them.
• Kindness — Leaders who are empathetic can understand and connect to how their team members feel. This creates a comfortable work setting.
• Effective communication — Leaders with a high EQ provide constructive feedbak and effectively handle disagreements.
• Influence — EQ enables leaders to inspire and encourage their team.

High IQ in Leadership Translates into

• Strategic thinking — Leaders with high IQs are capable of developing and executing successful strategies. They excel in data analysis, pattern recognition, and making data-based decisions.
• Problem-solving — IQ enables leaders to overcome complicated challenges by harnessing their analytical skills. They can recognize problems and offer unpredictable solutions.
• Expertise — Leaders often need competence in their field, which is a result of their intelligence. It gains them respect and credibility from their teammates.

Final Say!

Management is more than just technical skills and information; it is about people as well as money. To manage people, you ould have an insight into how your behaviour effects others and be able to change it accordingly. At the same time, effective strategic thinking, problem-solving, and tech expertise are things to have. All these allow top managers score high in IQ tests.

Have you read?
Countries Most in Debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Most Successful Unicorn Startups.
$100 Billion Club: Richest People With The 12-Figure Fortunes.
Largest electricity consumers in the world, by country (in terawatt-hours).
Countries that Export the Most Goods and Services.