Smart vs. Intelligent: Why We Need Deeper Leadership
We hear about “smart leaders” all the time. They’re good at reading the room, mastering corporate politics, riding cycles in growth or downturns. But what we don’t hear enough about is intelligence—deep strategic thinking, foresight, building teams that last. I believe the workplace has too many leaders who are “smart,” but far too few who are truly intelligent. I want to show you data that backs this up, explain where I think the decline is coming from, and argue why intelligence should be a frontline expectation for leadership. I think the decline in intelligent leadership comes from 2 main places: MBA-ification of leadership, and the almighty shareholder value. Together, these create a mismatch: we reward “what looks smart” (credentials + quick wins) without ensuring “what is intelligent” (sustained growth, team strength, adaptability). MBA Graduates: Strong Credentials, Mixed Outcomes Let me be clear: education matters. I have my master’s degree and value what I learned. My w...