Think of a genius and you might picture an eccentric person effortlessly solving complex mathematical problems. But geniuses come in many forms – from artistic and musical brilliance to scientific and mathematical mastery. It’s also possible for someone to have an incredible idea or a brilliant mind, but not regard themselves as a genius.
While there’s no universally agreed definition, around 2% of the population – about one in every 250 people – have an IQ above 140, which is often considered a marker of genius. However, some experts reserve the label for those with an IQ of 180 or higher, a rarity seen in roughly one in every two million people.
Geniuses can be hard to spot, varying from the popular genius with groundbreaking ideas that solve everyday problems, to the quiet observer, the misfit who doesn’t fit in, or the suppressed rule-follower who doesn’t show their brilliance. There is no single brain region related to genius. You can’t see it on a scan (yet), but dopamine levels are often strong. Affecting your body, brain, and behaviour, this naturally occurring chemical plays a crucial role in motivation, pleasure and rewards.
10 distinct behaviours of geniuses
People with brilliant minds have great potential that needs to be nurtured at work. So how do you spot them? Here are 10 behaviours to look out for…
1. Remarkable memory skills
An iconic trait of a genius is their ability to store and easily retrieve huge amounts of information simultaneously. This powerful recall helps them make connections and build on their existing knowledge, making more neural connections. Although, interestingly, they can appear quite scatty. Regarding short-term memory, the more you learn, the bigger the hippocampus. A genius will unconsciously seek more information to exercise their memory circuits.
2. Create time to think
From Mozart to Da Vinci, it is well-documented that geniuses ensure they have time each day to do nothing other than think or to just ‘be’. This clears their mind for creativity and deeper thinking in the quiet.
3. Breaking traditional ways of thinking
Geniuses push to explore the world of wisdom, uncover new ideas, and grasp complex concepts with refined, nuanced understanding. Instead of accepting knowledge at face value, they are captivated by the ideas most overlooked. They are rarely bored because they are always thinking, and their expertise goes way beyond that of a typical person.
Their minds empower and drive them to challenge the status quo again and again. They approach problems from dynamic, unconventional angles, analytically breaking down complex issues, leading to groundbreaking, innovative solutions.
4. Quick to adapt to changes and to evolve
Their ability to think with breadth, depth and flexibility allows them to learn and adjust quickly and effectively when faced with unfamiliar settings or unpredictable situations. Geniuses can modify their behaviours to cope successfully with their surroundings. Their mental flexibility and willingness to stay open-minded and adjust their thinking can fuel incredible discoveries or creations.
5. Single-minded in pursuit of success
Often impatient with others’ inefficiency, geniuses can have high expectations for themselves and others. A strong work ethic is one of the most essential traits for success, and geniuses embody this fully.
They channel dynamic energy into shaping their futures and pursuing their goals to the greatest of their ability. Their passion for achievement pushes them to give 100% on every project, rarely making excuses for setbacks.
6. An unquenchable thirst for knowledge
Geniuses have an inquisitive, innovative, and creative mindset – and a relentless desire to absorb knowledge. They love to solve complex problems, and some are avid readers. When it comes to their peers, they want to know what others across the globe are researching or creating. They are driven to understand and can be restless, looking for answers or novelty.
Geniuses don’t just think differently, they ask thought-provoking questions. This inquisitiveness stems from a genuine desire to deepen and push the boundaries of conversations, expanding their understanding and often that of people around them. As Albert Einstein famously said, “I have no special talents; I am only passionately curious”.
7. Calm anchor of rational thought
Interestingly, many geniuses can be a quiet voice of reason and generally don’t get in a flap because it clouds their thinking. They can be clear in their thought processes, like a chess player thinking ten steps ahead.
Some geniuses are quiet introverts who may be dismissed, so bringing them out of themselves and nurturing them is important. With clear and strategic thinking, they are equipped to make difficult decisions.
8. Fearless in the pursuit of possibility
Geniuses are willing to take risks, embrace failure, and learn from their mistakes. Rarely seeking approval, these individuals are driven by the need to solve issues or finish a creative project. Their ambition is to go beyond society’s norms. The reward for excellence is often that they just want more opportunity. They push boundaries with bold resilience, driven by a powerful self-belief or belief in their craft or experiment.
9. Driven by a deep passion for work
Geniuses enjoy being at work if they are in the right place and have the right culture. They may prefer to be with other people at their level, even across unrelated industries, to expand their minds, be taught something new, and be enlightened by like-minded individuals.
Their work might be their social life, which can be valuable because geniuses can easily become lonely outsiders, finding it hard to make personal connections. This is especially the case if they are perhaps on the autistic spectrum, or don’t naturally make time for social interaction. For them, work is not just something to do five days a week: it’s life. Still, some geniuses have a strong social life and are very popular.
10. Total absorption in the task
Geniuses excel at intense hyperfocus. They can easily immerse themselves in tasks they are passionate about for prolonged periods, often foregoing sleep because they are so devoted to achieving their goals. Driven by an unquenchable thirst to understand more, they can lose track of time in their curious pursuit of knowledge. This concentration level allows them to learn, grasp complex information quickly, and absorb new ideas easily. Their minds are constantly buzzing with ideas and often have no off switch, which can lead to mental and physical health issues.
