Two kinds of intelligence

Have you ever felt despondent? As you look into technology development, have you ever felt overwhelmed? When we comfortably adjust to one wave of technological development, another one comes. What about ChatGPT and Canva when I am pretty satisfied with doing TikTok and have mastered some dance moves?

The worldwide survey has shown that the number one fear of career people is not even inflation, economy, or geopolitical tensions. It is the feeling of being “irrelevant.” Though unspoken, the hidden concern is that “I only have about 10 years or more before the company imposes its mandatory retirement on me. If I still have 10, 20, or more years of existence on this decaying planet, what does life have for me?” The common sentiment is that “I am too old to learn new things. The old stuff I know is turning irrelevant so that I may be all “washed up!””

But here is a ray of hope. I still wonder why only a few people know about this. Raymond Cattell, a British psychologist, discovered intriguing insights as he researched human intelligence, and in 1971, he published a book called “Abilities, Their Structured Growth and Action.” In this book, he posited that all people possess two kinds of intelligence that ebb and flow at different points in life: fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence.

Fluid intelligence is experienced most in our early years, as our brains are young and are best at thinking flexibly, reasoning, and solving novel problems. These abilities are strongest in our young adult years and begin to diminish in our 30s and 40s. On the other hand, crystallized intelligence is the ability to use a stock of knowledge learned from the past. It is the capacity to collate, summarize, and express information to others. We do this best past midlife.

Arthur Brooks, a social scientist at Harvard Business School, said that you have raw smarts when you’re young. When you’re old, you have wisdom. When you are young, you can generate lots of facts. When you’re old, you know their meaning and how to use them.

Charles Darwin is an example of a brilliant scientist who made his initial discoveries in his 20s; he grew despondent about not staying at the top of his field as he expected himself to continue in fluid intelligence instead of learning to capitalize on his crystallized intelligence.

In contrast, Johann Sebastian Bach wrote groundbreaking music in his 20s and 30s. Then he transitioned to using his crystallized intelligence by teaching and multiplying his talent with others, becoming a music instructor, and writing a textbook that was considered both a guide for students and a piece of literature.

Repurposing your life and career is essential to finding fulfillment in your later years. You may feel like a dinosaur compared to younger generations. However, repurposing your strengths and mentoring and teaching the younger generation is essential to passing on wisdom so they can surpass us by standing on our shoulders.

In conclusion, we should expect a different perspective on the world from our elders. The ebb and flow of fluid and crystallized intelligence in our lifetimes can help us to capitalize on our strengths and pass on wisdom to the next generation.

I have discovered a new spark in my career. Instead of feeling despondent and overwhelmed, I have allowed the young to teach and mentor me in art and technology. And then, I used my crystallized wisdom to guide, counsel and mentor the young. This is obviously seen through how I have led my own family. I have allowed the kids to play to their strengths. The eldest today runs a successful ice cream business and is doing very well, and he continues to run his restaurants in partnership with his friend. They are doing very well. My eldest daughter is doing wedding gowns and cocktail dresses and entering other fields of business, and my youngest is handling the most challenging product of us all - her dad.

Meanwhile, I play to my strength which is mentoring and teaching. I do not try to be cool or hip to appear young and trendy because that is not me, but I will constantly help the kids to stand on my shoulders and surpass me in terms of life success and achievements. I have a choice to be a Darwin or a Bach, but I choose to be musical. You would too.

(Francis Kong’s podcast “Inspiring Excellence” is now available on Spotify, Apple, Google, or other podcast streaming platforms.)