While Washington, D.C. leaders fight over who's more intelligent, billionaire businessman Warren Buffett says there's a specific IQ score you need to succeed: 130.
A week after NBC reported that Secretary Rex Tillerson called President Donald Trump a "moron," Trump proposed the two compare IQ tests in an interview published on Tuesday by Forbes.
"And I can tell you who is going to win," Trump adds. This wouldn't be the first time Trump has bragged about his IQ.
Mensa, an exclusive organization for those who score in the top two percent, has offered to conduct Trump and Tillerson's IQ test.
But Buffett has long said that IQ isn't the single defining factor to being successful. More important than IQ, he says, is rationality and emotional stability.
"You don't need to be a rocket scientist. Investing is not a game where the guy with the 160 IQ beats the guy with a 130 IQ. Rationality is essential," Buffett is quoted saying in the book, "Warren Buffett Speaks."
Notably, the average IQ score falls between 85 and 115. A score above 140, meanwhile, is considered to be genius level.
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Even if you do have an IQ of 160, Buffett says you should just "give away 30 points to somebody else" because "you don't need a lot of brains to be in this business."
"What you do need is emotional stability," he adds."You have to be able to think independently."
Buffett, one of the world's most influential and successful investors, admits that his IQ was not what helped him achieve success.
Unlike some people who base their actions and reactions on emotions, Buffett has a way of keeping himself grounded.
He stays in what he calls his "circle of competence," a few key facts he can refer to and really own, and keeps away from the things he doesn't know as much about.
"It never bothered me if people disagreed with what I thought," Buffett says in a 2010 interview with Forbes.
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"I can go back and look at the facts and I think that's much more important, frankly than having a few points of IQ or having an extra course or two in school or anything of the sort."
While Buffett says IQ and talent are valuable, why doesn't having only these two qualities allow smart people to be successful?
His answer: Your habits, character, temperament and ability to think independently together allow you to behave rationally.
"To invest successfully does not require a stratospheric IQ, unusual business insights, or inside information," Buffett says in a foreword to Benjamin Graham's "The Intelligent Investor." "What's needed is a sound intellectual framework for making decisions and the ability to keep emotions from corroding the framework."
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As an expert in psychology, intelligence, and success metrics, I bring a wealth of knowledge to dissect the nuances of the article you've shared. My understanding of psychological assessments, intelligence testing, and the factors influencing success allows me to provide insightful analysis.
The central theme of the article revolves around the significance of IQ in determining success, particularly in the context of public figures like Donald Trump and Rex Tillerson. Warren Buffett, a billionaire businessman and influential investor, is cited as someone who downplays the exclusive emphasis on high IQ for success.
Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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IQ and Success: The article discusses the ongoing debate among Washington, D.C. leaders about intelligence, with Warren Buffett asserting that a specific IQ score (130) is necessary for success. However, Buffett goes further to emphasize the importance of rationality and emotional stability over a high IQ score.
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Trump and Tillerson's IQ Challenge: President Donald Trump and Secretary Rex Tillerson are mentioned in the context of a proposed IQ test challenge. Trump, known for boasting about his IQ in the past, suggests comparing IQ scores. Mensa, an exclusive organization for the top two percent IQ scorers, offers to conduct the test.
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Buffett's Perspective on IQ: Warren Buffett challenges the notion that a high IQ is the sole determinant of success. He argues that emotional stability and rationality are more crucial. Buffett suggests that even individuals with high IQs should focus on giving away some points to others and emphasizes the importance of independent thinking.
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Average IQ and Genius Level: The article provides context about average IQ scores falling between 85 and 115, with scores above 140 considered at the genius level.
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Buffett's Success Factors: Buffett attributes his success not to a high IQ but to emotional stability, rational thinking, and the ability to think independently. He mentions staying within his "circle of competence" and focusing on facts rather than getting swayed by others' opinions.
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Habits, Character, and Temperament: The article concludes by highlighting Buffett's perspective that success is not solely determined by IQ and talent. Instead, habits, character, temperament, and the ability to think independently are crucial factors contributing to rational behavior and successful decision-making.
In summary, the article underscores the multifaceted nature of success, challenging the notion that a high IQ alone guarantees it. Warren Buffett's insights provide a nuanced perspective that takes into account emotional intelligence and rational decision-making as vital components of achieving success.
