The Metiss Group's Blog

In 1983 Howard Gardner wrote the revolutionary book “Frames of Mind – The Theory of Multiple Intelligences” in which he describes seven different forms of intelligence we all posses in varying degrees: linguistic, musical, logical-mathmatical, spacial, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal.  Interpersonal intelligence is what makes or breaks most leaders today.

According the Gardner, “Interpersonal knowledge permits a skilled adult to read the intentions and desires – even when these have been hidden – of other individuals and, potentially, to act upon this knowledge.”  For example, leaders are often faced with trying to get their direct reports with individual aspirations and agendas to work together for the good of a team.  Fortunately today there are many tools available to help us determine our interpersonal intelligence and improve it.

Improving our interpersonal intelligence will make us better co-workers, leaders, and influencers. As Gardner says, “interpersonal intelligence is seen in how we notice distinction among others; in particular, contrasts in their moods, temperaments motivations and intentions.”

Make interpersonal intelligence improvement one of your personal development objectives and empower yourself for greater success.

This entry was posted on March 15, 2010 at 1:42 am and is filed under Leadership, Performance Acceleration. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.