When a person thinks about intelligence, he or she only thinks about proficiency in math or English. However, Howard Gardner proves to us that there are seven types of intelligences. Most people would never know that the seven intelligences exist if Gardner’s theory had not become so well known.
Everybody has all seven intelligences. It is the one that they excel in that we see. I have known people to have almost all of the intelligences stand out in them. It only takes a little work to make them strong. Out of the seven intelligences, there are three that I believe standing out in me. Possessing personal interaction and navigational skills, and playing a variety of musical instruments, I am confident that I excel in interpersonal, spatial, and musical intelligence.
An intelligence that I am sure that I possess is interpersonal intelligence. Howard Gardner states, “Interpersonal Intelligence builds on a core capacity to notice distinctions among others: in particular, contrasts in their moods, temperaments, motivations, and intentions.”
All salesmen, teachers, and politicians must have this to be successful. I remember a time in the eleventh grade when my best friend started getting in trouble. He was hanging with the wrong group and skipping school. One day I went to his house and talked to him about how he was going to end up. I felt like a counsellor talking to a troubled patient. It did not seem like I made any difference.
After a few weeks, I was listening to the announcements from the principal and I heard my friends name on the honour roll list. Times like that make me feel really good about what can happen if you just talk to someone. I recall another time when my friend Jeff and I went to the farmer’s market to sell our produce for the first time. We were so nervous that the older people there would not take us seriously. So I went out with a few samples of our vegetables and told the people about it.
Interpersonal intelligence refers to the ability of a person to relate well with people and manage relationships. It enables people to understand the needs and motivations of those around them, which help strengthen their overall influence. People with interpersonal intelligence seem to stand out in a crowd as people with lots of friends and can easily adapt to social situations. They communicate effectively and enjoy participating in discussions and debates. Individuals with interpersonal intelligence are characterized by their sensitivity to other people’s moods, temperaments, motivations, and feelings.
In his 2006 book entitled “Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice,” Gardener used the example of Anne Sullivan, a teacher who taught Helen Keller. Although Sullivan was nearly blind and possessed little formal training in teaching children with special needs, she took the task of teaching Keller, a blind and deaf seven-year-old.
Sullivan exhibited high interpersonal intelligence when dealing with Keller; she effectively understood her special needs, moods, temperament, and motivations. Through her interpersonal intelligence, Sullivan helped Keller become one of the leading authors and lecturers of the 20th century.
According to Gardener, people with interpersonal intelligence easily empathize with others and are gifted in dealing with other people. He said that people with such skill are naturally inclined to become politicians, teachers, therapists, diplomats, salespeople, and negotiators. These occupations require people who can look at situations differently and take an adaptive approach.
Several famous individuals are noted for their interpersonal intelligence when dealing with other people. Mahatma Gandhi was a lawyer and activist who led the Indian independence movement against the British colonial rule. He helped his country achieve independence by employing non-violent civil disobedience at a time when other countries were using violence against the colonialists. Despite being imprisoned on many occasions, Gandhi inspired his community to demand self-rule. Through this interpersonal intelligence, he inspired civil rights and freedom movements across the world.
Mother Teresa is best known for her charity work and her ability to understand the feelings of the poor. In the course of her charity work, Mother Teresa moved from the convent to go and live with the poor. She helped establish schools for the poor, orphanages, hospices, and leper houses.
Oprah Winfrey is a media proprietor, actress, producer, and the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show. She became popular because of her ability to listen, talk, and to relate to others. Her show became the highest-rated television program in history from 1986 to 2011. Although she came from an abusive childhood, Winfrey’s been credited with creating an intimate confessional form of media communication.
Classrooms offer a platform for students with interpersonal intelligence to showcase their rare skill set. Teachers can help such students put into use their skills through a variety of activities. One of these activities is offering students an opportunity to teach other students. This allows them to interact with their colleagues and practise their listening skills. It also helps them enhance their communication skills by listening and responding to the questions presented by other students.
Another activity that teachers can use to help students with interpersonal intelligence is creating group work projects. Group work allows students to share their different perspectives and receive feedback on their performance. Students with interpersonal intelligence will be useful in such projects, especially when it comes to delegating duties and holding the group members together.
When there are conflicts among members, these individuals can help reconcile any disagreements and encourage members to stay focused on the ultimate goal. Such activities will prepare these students in future occupations as leaders, politicians, and entrepreneurs by learning how to solve conflicts, take risks, and encourage communication.
