Natural smarts V school Smarts who will win?

If natural smarts were to do battle against school smart which would win? Is one better than the other?  Can you manage without one? Can one enhance the other? And why do we obsess so much about university?

This week I had the opportunity to sit on an interview panel.  This question kept niggling at me because most of the degree holding candidates were performing poorly and had difficulty selling themselves, or recognising and talking about their skills.  So I asked my colleague what she thought.

What’s more important natural smarts or school smarts?

She said both. I said natural smart.  So yesterday I asked a couple of people the same questions on FB, this was the reaction:

“natural born talent.  If we follow the talents and strengths we are naturally born with, life and work would infinitely be more fulfilling.” Thecareerstylist

“Good question. Both are important, but I think its natural born talent that has the edge. A talented individual will recognise (and be recognised for) their talent….and will then turn that into success. Academia is harder to recognise in the real world…”" Martin Waith

If  natural talent is truly unique, then why do we obsess with university?

“I suppose its a little like Luke Sky Walker needing training from Obi Wan in Star Wars – sometimes people don’t know the talent is there in the first place!” Alastair Cameron Theemployable

Can one enhance the other

My colleague has a degree but is naturally smart, a think- on-your-feet person.  I’m always baffled by her thinking.  It has nothing to do with her University degree or higher education.

I don’t have a degree but I read and research in depth, and spend time with very smart people, enhancing each others smarts.?

Mathy+ smart people = Very Very Very smart

I think it’s a little bit like money.  When you start off with good character, you tend to be wealthy with good character.  When you start off with bad character, you tend to be wealthy with bad character.  If you’re naturally joyful,  you tend to be wealthy with joyfulness.  If you’re naturally miserable, you tend to be wealthy with misery.  Don’t expect that to change, expect more of the same.

Well that’s just my theory,…… I mean my story. Test me I’ll prove it.

The interview panel

As surprising as it may be, I find that this reaction of not knowing “how to sell yourself” from school, is not unusual.

It bugs me, but usually when candidates answer in this manner, it  can only mean one thing:

1. I don’t want to oversell myself and sound like a arrogant fool
2. I’m not sure what to say, best way to say, and I’m down right nervous.
3. ***Wha’the job is this?! No focus with my career and life what, where do I go, how !!?? HellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllP.

Next Article- what are your definitions of  Natural smart – and School Smart – Can one live without the other?

If you have any other possible reason why people still have the following issues, then tweet me, FB or just leave a comment.

Disclaimer- Mathy Lisika-Minsende is a mad career transitioner with no university but  12 years of experience.  Yes,  you’ve heard it loud and clear.  She cannot  be held responsible for the reactions you may have to this article.