Psychology says intelligence matters less at work than many managers think
Recent research challenges the long-held belief that intelligence is the primary factor in job performance. A comprehensive study involving 109,396 workers revealed only a modest link between cognitive skills and success at work. Instead, attributes like interpersonal skills and adaptability are proving crucial in today's job market. As technology progresses, the ability to collaborate with AI…
For years, intelligence has been considered highly important in the workplace, with managers often relying on cognitive tests and assessments to predict job performance. However, a new study suggests that the relationship between intelligence and job performance may not be as strong as previously believed. The study, which analyzed data from 212 samples involving 109,396 workers, found that general mental ability (GMA) – a broad measure of a person's ability to learn, reason, and solve problems – has a more modest correlation with job performance than previously thought.The researchers, who brought together evidence from three contemporary meta-analyses, also examined how intelligence relates to performance in different types of jobs.
They categorized jobs into three broad dimensions: Data, People, and Things. The findings suggest that intelligence is not necessarily a strong predictor of performance in jobs that involve more interpersonal interactions or complex problem-solving, while being more closely linked to performance in physically demanding roles that require both mental and physical skills.
This challenges the notion that intelligence tests are especially useful for assessing performance in intellectually demanding jobs.
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