Beyond Wit and Grit: Rethinking the Keys to Success | Howard Gardner | TEDxBeaconStreet

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker reflects on the evolution of their views on success, moving from a belief in singular intelligence and grit to recognizing multiple intelligences. They introduce the concept of 'Multiple Intelligences' (MI), highlighting eight distinct types of intelligences that vary among individuals. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of applying grit ethically, advocating for 'Good Grits' and discussing the 'Good Project,' which promotes excellence, engagement, and ethics in work and life. The talk concludes with a call for communal deliberation to define 'good' and apply it in our actions.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The speaker initially believed success was about being smart and working hard, emphasizing 'wit' and 'grit'.
• 🔍 Over 40 years of research, the speaker's perspective evolved, challenging the traditional view of intelligence as a single entity.
• 📚 The speaker introduced the 'Multiple Intelligences' (MI) theory, proposing that humans possess at least seven or eight distinct intelligences rather than one general intelligence.
• 🎓 Intelligences such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist are recognized as different 'computers' within the mind.
• 👥 Intelligences vary among individuals, with no two people having the same cognitive profile, not even identical twins.
• 🏫 The MI theory suggests that education and work environments should be adapted to recognize and leverage these diverse intelligences.
• 🚫 Traditional paper-and-pencil tests are inadequate for assessing multiple intelligences, as they favor linguistic and logical skills.
• 🌐 The speaker created the 'Multiple Intelligences Oasis' website to provide resources and address misconceptions about the theory.
• 🤔 The concept of 'grit', or perseverance, is important but not sufficient on its own; it must be directed towards ethical and good outcomes.
• 🌟 The 'Good Project' was established to explore what it means to be a good person, worker, and citizen, emphasizing the importance of ethics in addition to excellence and engagement.
• 🔑 Ethical dilemmas, like the one faced by the character Debbie in the script, highlight the complexity of making good decisions in various roles and contexts.
• 🤝 The speaker advocates for creating a 'common space' for open communication and decision-making to navigate ethical challenges and work towards the greater good.

Q & A

What was the initial belief of the speaker about the key to success?

The speaker initially believed that success required being smart and working hard, which they described as having 'wit', meaning intelligence, and 'grit', meaning perseverance and hard work.

Who is Albert Einstein mentioned in the script, and why is he significant?

Albert Einstein is mentioned as an example of a person with a lot of 'wit', highlighting his intelligence, which was one of the initial criteria the speaker believed contributed to success.

What does the speaker suggest about the relationship between intelligence and success?

The speaker suggests that intelligence alone, as measured by traditional IQ tests, is not enough to determine success. They argue for the concept of multiple intelligences, indicating that people can be smart in different ways.

What is the 'Frames of Mind' book about, and how does it relate to the speaker's change in perspective?

The 'Frames of Mind' book introduced the Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI Theory), which posits that there are at least seven or eight different types of intelligences in humans, rather than a single intelligence as previously believed.

Can you explain the concept of Multiple Intelligences as presented in the script?

Multiple Intelligences is the idea that there are various types of intelligences, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist intelligences, each contributing differently to a person's cognitive abilities.

What are the three components of 'good work' as described by the speaker?

The three components of 'good work' are excellence, engagement, and ethics. A good worker is knowledgeable, passionate about their work, and makes ethical decisions.

How does the speaker address the misuse of the Multiple Intelligences theory in Australia?

The speaker expressed concern about the misuse of the Multiple Intelligences theory in Australia, where a curriculum was built around it, associating certain intelligences with racial and ethnic groups. The speaker publicly discouraged this misuse, and the practice was stopped.

What is the significance of the 'Good Project' mentioned in the script?

The 'Good Project' is an initiative that focuses on understanding what it means to be a good person, worker, and citizen. It provides resources and tools to help people navigate ethical dilemmas and work towards the common good.

What ethical dilemma does the character Debbie face in the script, and why is it significant?

Debbie, a high school newspaper editor, faces an ethical dilemma when she is forbidden to write about a campus rape due to potential negative impacts on school recruitment. This dilemma is significant as it illustrates the conflict between journalistic integrity and the perceived needs of the community.

How does the speaker suggest we determine what is 'good'?

The speaker suggests that determining what is 'good' involves open communication and discussion with people in one's community, creating a common space for ethical deliberation and decision-making.

What is the final takeaway message from the speaker about success?

The final takeaway message is that people can be smart in different ways, and while 'grit' is important, it must be applied ethically and in service of the 'good' to truly contribute to success.