12 Ways To Recognize Someone Truly Intelligent

You’ve heard about sex appeal, but what about the latest personality trait everybody is talking about?

Intelligence appeal!

Yeah, right. For some, intelligence is a turn on, and far more attractive than how a person looks.

That being said, intelligence may not be how loudly somebody lists the amount of languages they can say hello in.

Having twelve degrees doesn’t automatically mean you should be floored with awe.

Intelligence comes in surprising ways, and today is about showing you what I mean by that.

So, Bonjour, Hello, Hola, Hej, Hallo!

Let’s get better acquainted as we pull out the intelligent stops!

Think About Intelligence For A Moment…

I went to school with a kid whose parents traveled a lot.

He was only in my school for a short time, before they moved to Japan, but the time he was there was a time I will never forget.

He had been in class for approximately five minutes when he was already trying to impress us all. 

With the girls, he would show off his worldly knowledge and how many countries he’d visited and lived in.

With the guys, he would show us how strong he is in Phys Ed. 

I learned how to do push-ups during my six-month stay in the Alaskan Forests.

I used our wooden lodge roof to lift me each morning so I could get fit!

He thought he knew it all, and he showed off.

Recognizing True Intelligence

Don’t be surprised if you hadn’t considered some of these points!

#1 Don’t Always Look For The Certificate

Certificates are lovely.

Wow, you passed some exams, and you have a piece of paper to show for it.

While we won’t downplay any hard work to get to the point where you have that certificate.

It doesn’t necessarily prove you’re intelligent. You studied hard, and you got what you wanted. 

But the world is bigger than any certificate, and some of the most intelligent, wise people I know don’t have one. 

#2 A Little Politeness Goes A Long Way

Emotional intelligence hits hard when you see it in action. Kindness is exactly what I am talking about.

If you show that you care about others, and are willing and happy to help them in their struggles.

It shows a level of emotional intelligence that has been taught for a very long time. 

That’s what people often mistake – intelligence isn’t just about how much you know. 

#3 Engage – Not Enrage

Adding on to my emotional intelligence point above, the real test is when there is an opportunity to respond with anger, but instead there is a response muh more mature. 

Responding with anger is a choice, and it shows much about a person’s character if they rage, rather than engage.

Let’s talk it through, or even just leaving a situation of conflict are both signs that you value your emotions and intelligence over throwing your anger at people. 

#4 A Good Listener

Being a good listener involves having a few characteristics that point to a level of intelligence not all carry. 

For starters, you’ve got to be empathetic.

To understand what somebody is going through, and to be patient enough to let them speak. 

This shows a real depth of intelligence; you know how people work, and you know what they need when they’re in need. 

#5 Able To See The Bigger Picture

It’s hard to see the bigger picture when you’re stuck in such a small part of it.

Without understanding that pictures can zoom out and reveal so much that you don’t know or aren’t aware of.

There’s no conscious intelligence being pinned on your problem. 

If you’re around somebody who can make it clear that you need to step back and see everything for what it really is.

They can help you learn and understand how to get out of your head when it is required. 

#6 Self-Reflection: Tick!

What didn’t go to plan? 

Was it their day in general? Maybe a job interview didn’t run as smoothly as hoped?

The ability to sit and self-reflect is truly synonymous with an intelligent character.

It’s vital to be honest with yourself and look at what happened.

There’s no point in denying any aspect that might help you grow if you could work with it. 

It’s a wonderful sign of intelligence when a person can understand the past, however far back they have to dig. 

#7 Creative Path?

Intelligence and creativity are tied closely together.

This is more of a natural inclination to be intelligent, and shows that somebody can use their intelligence to create, and create with intelligence too.

If you know somebody who is walking a very creative path, there will be their invisible friend, creativity, walking alongside them. 

#8 Always Curious

Curiosity opens doors, and open doors are for learning.

If you’re constantly keeping all your own doors shut, then nothing new is coming in and feeding you. 

True intelligence comes from seeing the doors, and exploring them.

What’s behind them may be a new language, or a new country to travel or visit.

Perhaps it’s a new experience that teaches you a little more about yourself, or a job promotion whereby you get to take a step up in your career. 

Doors are doors because they can open.

Don’t leave yours closed. 

#9 Not Too Much Noise

The less noise, the better. When somebody is being overly loud, they try to make up for something they lack in another area of their character.

Intelligent people know that noise is a detraction method, and they don’t need it themselves. 

#10 Understands Needs

Isn’t it a truly intelligent gift to read people? Read them and understand what they need from what you’re learning about them?

I think so.

In fact, I think when somebody shows you that they’re trying to understand you.

It’s showing you that they’re conscious of human connection, which I believe is the foundation of understanding.

#11 Manners

Good manners go a long way in all walks of life, but in a world that’s becoming ruder and ruder – it’s refreshing to see somebody being polite. 

The intelligent part of this comes from knowing that being rude is an option, but deciding to be nie instead.

It takes a lot more thought and conscious effort to remain polite even when somebody is being totally disrespectful, but it’s how a person can come out feeling good at the end of it. 

#12 Open To Adventure

You’d be a fool if you treated this world like a small cage and refused to explore even your corner of it.

Walking along the street where you live, tossing your trash on the ground, and not giving it a second thought – big no.

And also – a big sign of lack of intellect.

I encourage people where I can to take care of where they live, explore it, and value it. Once you can do that, extend that into the wider world.

Be open to adventure, and understand there are many colors, culture,s and creeds out there.

If we could all learn to live in harmony and with respect for each other, our collective intelligence would shoot through the roof.