The Leadership Limitations of Intelligence

When can having a high IQ be a problem?

Research on leadership has shed some light on the complex effects of intelligence. In general, intelligence does predict leadership, although the linkage is small. More intelligent individuals are more likely to attain leadership positions and are somewhat more effective leaders. However, research also shows that when the intelligence level of the leader is much higher than that of their followers, the leader can be ineffective (and may, in fact, not be followed).

Leadership researcher Fred Fiedler19 has examined the complex relationship between intelligence and leader effectiveness, focusing on two important leader variables — intelligence and experience. What his research shows is that, under normal circumstances, more intelligent leaders are more effective. This makes sense: Intelligent leaders should be better able to analyze problems, consider alternative courses of action, gather information, etc. However, under crisis conditions, Fiedler finds, more intelligent leaders are actually less effective. What predicts success in a crisis is experience. Highly experienced leaders immediately initiate well-practiced behaviors and get the group moving. More intelligent leaders, on the other hand, tend to try to figure things out and this delay leads to less efficient and successful leadership under time constraints.

Leadership research also suggests that when it comes to leadership — and to some extent, all interpersonal relationships — forms of intelligence other than IQ are at least as important. Leadership is, at its heart, a relationship between leader and follower(s), and so emotions are important — the ability to read and express emotions, to understand emotions, and to regulate and manage your own and others’ emotions. Collectively, this is what’s known as emotional intelligence (or EQ, or EI) and it may be more important for leaders. Likewise, when it comes to complex leadership roles, social intelligence (SI, or SQ) may predict success better than IQ.

For Development: Leaders should not rely on their intelligence alone, and having a high IQ doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t develop further — particularly in the areas of emotional and social intelligence.