Fluid Intelligence

Fluid intelligence is the ability to think logically and solve problems in novel situations independent of acquired knowledge. It is the ability to think abstractly, identify patterns, the ability to solve new types of problems and make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. Fluid intelligence is the bedrock for discovery and innovation.

If you hear people talk about street smarts, they are more or less describing fluid intelligence.
Being street smart means instinctively knowing how to keep yourself safe from scams and bad guys. It means you know your way around, how to handle yourself in tough situations, and how to “read” people’s intent. In reality, the startup world contains those same very risky streets, but in the business context.

Fluid intelligence gets its name from the non-linear nature of thought processes, which are ever changing, just as the nature of fluid is always changing to adapt to the shape of its container. Successful founders, the entrepreneurs who demonstrate high levels of fluid intelligence, spend time thinking outside the box and are able to recognize patterns, quickly learn rule sets, then apply them quickly to solve problems.

INSIGHTS ON     CURIOSITY     DISCOVERY