"Elementary, My dear Watson, it's purely Elementary"

The character of Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is renowned for his exceptional intelligence and deductive reasoning skills. As a result, Sherlock Holmes is depicted as highly intelligent and analytical, and the phrase "Elementary, my dear Watson" relates more to the perception of intelligence or expertise rather than intelligence itself. The quote "To a great mind, nothing is little" is attributed to the fictional detective. However, at face value, the statement suggests that individuals with excellent minds can perceive and appreciate the significance of even the most minor details. "Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule." - This quote from Great Expectations underscores the importance of critical thinking and analysis in developing true intelligence.

I find myself whether to refer to our brief interaction as a discussion or a conversation. Still, regardless, I was utterly taken with a fascinating individual who responded to my compliment on his intelligence by stating that he was not particularly intelligent but rather a skilled researcher and possessed other qualities (now that made me smile). Ah, the elusive quest for intelligence. This led me to contemplate the nature of intelligence, a concept we all strive to attain or compete for. As far back as I can remember, my late father would praise my intelligence, though I'm sure there were occasions when he regretted doing so (smile). Why are we so drawn to intelligence? What does it mean? Is it a combination of wisdom, common sense, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability? And if we could develop all these qualities, would we consider ourselves successful in our pursuit of intelligence?

Shall we start with stories told to us as old as time, but I don't know how true they can be (chuckle)? Once there was a wise old man who had a pet eagle. The man had always been praised for his intelligence and insatiable desire for knowledge. One day, the eagle asked the man why he was so obsessed with intelligence. The wise old man replied, "Intelligence is the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe and understanding the world around us." The eagle nodded thoughtfully and said, "But isn't it more important to have the wisdom to use that knowledge for good?" The man was taken aback by the eagle's wisdom and realised that true intelligence was about acquiring and using knowledge wisely.

Intelligence is indeed a complex and multifaceted concept, combining various qualities such as wisdom, common sense, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. However, despite all these qualities developed, intelligence remains an elusive and subjective idea. After all, intelligence is not just about what you know or how well you can solve a problem; it's also about how you use that knowledge and solve those problems in practical and innovative ways.

So, while developing these qualities can undoubtedly help us pursue intelligence, it's also essential to remember that intelligence is not just a static quality that can be achieved once and for all. Instead, it's an ongoing process of learning, growth, and adaptation, and it requires a combination of innate abilities, hard work, and a willingness to keep learning and improving. Therefore, to strive for intelligence, one must actively pursue knowledge and understanding. This enhances and develops cognitive abilities, which are just as important as the destination.

I'm no expert on intelligence, but I've heard it said that it's like beauty - it's in the eye of the beholder. Some people value book smarts, while others admire street smarts. And let's remember emotional intelligence - the ability to understand and manage one's emotions and those of others. It's a real multi-tasking feat! But as for me, I like to think of intelligence as a superpower. You can conquer the world - or at least, your home base with intelligence. And yes, I have, well, perhaps that day, stumbled upon a humble genius. Or someone who knows how to deflect a compliment humbly with humility. But I can relate - I often find myself downplaying my intelligence.

As for why we're drawn to intelligence, maybe it's because we associate it with success and accomplishment. It's hard to define. Is intelligence just about book smarts? Or is it also about street smarts, creativity, and emotional intelligence? It could be a combination of all those things. But that's what makes it so intriguing to us. Of course, we all want to be the most competent person in the room, but it's about something other than being the smartest but the most adaptable and resourceful.

After all, as the saying goes, "Common sense is not so common." True intelligence is more about having well-rounded skills like creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. And if we can achieve all those things, we can consider ourselves successful in our quest for intelligence. But let's face it, sometimes we all have those "why did I say that?" moments, even the most intelligent among us. So, it's about humility to recognise that we still have room to grow and learn. Now that is humility laced with intelligence,?a rare and precious combination. It's like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee- the perfect balance of boldness and subtlety. This individual loves coffee but could not get his coffee on that day(grin).

A humble, intelligent person knows their strengths and weaknesses and is always eager to learn and grow. They don't let their intelligence go to their head but instead use it to benefit themselves and others. They say, "Smart is the new cool, but humble is the new smart." So let's strive to cultivate humility and intelligence in our lives and become the best versions of ourselves. As for achieving success in brightness, that's a never-ending journey. There's always more to learn, more to discover, and more to improve upon. But hey, as long as we're constantly growing and adapting, we're on the right track.

We're all on a quest for intelligence, but it's like searching for a unicorn. It's elusive and hard to define. So can intelligence be deduced as a fancy word for being good at Googling things? (Ah, something to this effect was also shared when I remarked on intelligence.) While Google can undoubtedly provide us with a wealth of information, true intelligence goes beyond knowing how to search for answers. Instead, intelligence encompasses critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, and wisdom in applying knowledge to real-world situations. It's about knowing facts and figures and understanding and analysing complex ideas and problems. So while being good at Googling can be helpful, it's just one small aspect of what it means to be truly intelligent.

But in all seriousness, intelligence is a complex concept encompassing many different skills and abilities. It's not just about being book smart or having a high IQ but also about having emotional intelligence, creativity, and adaptability. So, if we can master all these skills, we can consider ourselves successful in our intelligence.

Intelligence is like a chameleon. - it adapts to its environment and changes colour when necessary. It's about more than what you know but how quickly you can learn and adapt to new situations. The most intelligent people can unlearn old and relearn new habits, constantly expanding their knowledge and skills. Can we then argue that intelligence is a form of virtue? Therefore, can intelligence be harnessed and practised in a habit?

Aristotle believed intelligence, habit, and virtue are closely related and interdependent concepts. He saw intelligence as the foundation of human excellence and the source of our ability to reason and understand the world around us. However, he recognised that intelligence alone was insufficient to lead a fulfilling and virtuous life. He saw intelligence as a necessary foundation for developing moral habits and making ethical decisions, but he did not view intelligence as a virtue. Aristotle contended that virtues like courage, justice, and temperance were necessary for achieving this ultimate goal, as they helped individuals balance their desires and passions with reason and to act in a morally and ethically responsible way. These are the critical components of a virtuous character.

?Plato believed that knowledge and intelligence were essential for achieving the good life. Still, he thought pursuing knowledge could lead to arrogance and a lack of humility. Plato argued that true wisdom involved knowledge, self-awareness, and a recognition of one's limitations. While intelligence and expertise may be necessary for making ethical decisions and pursuing the good life, virtues such as wisdom, humility, compassion, courage, justice, and temperance are the critical components of a virtuous character. Alastair MacIntyre has emphasised the importance of virtues in ethical decision-making and pursuing the good life, arguing that virtues like honesty, justice, and compassion are essential for human flourishing. While intelligence may be a valuable tool for developing and practising virtuous habits, it is perceived as just one aspect of a more extensive set of character traits and virtues.

The concept of virtue in ancient Greek philosophy was often understood holistically, encompassing a wide range of moral and intellectual qualities. For example, while intelligence may be considered a valuable component of virtue, it is typically considered just one aspect of a more extensive set of character traits and virtues.

Intelligence isn't just about how much you know but how adaptable you are to change. As the famous quote goes, "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." So, if you find yourself stuck in a rut or resisting change, it might be time to expand your mind and embrace new ideas. After all, the world is constantly evolving, and those who can keep up are the ones who will succeed. So, let's all strive to be adaptable, open-minded, and intelligent individuals who aren't afraid to take on new challenges and opportunities. Let's measure our intelligence not by what we already know but by how willing we are to learn and grow. After all, in a constantly evolving world, intelligence is not a fixed trait but rather a dynamic process of growth and development.

Focusing on our weaknesses often prevents us from recognising our natural strengths and talents,?though this may stem from our high ideals and desire for perfection. But remember, true wisdom comes from acknowledging that you know nothing, and intelligence comes from a constant drive to improve and imagine new possibilities. So, embrace your strengths and talents, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. With your innate qualities and an open mind, you have the potential to achieve great things and make a positive impact in the world.

But remember that intelligence is not the be-all and end-all of life. As Albert Einstein once said, "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid." So, let's focus on our strengths and unique talents and not worry too much about fitting into a narrow definition of intelligence. After all, we're all intelligent in our way.

Oh, by the way, what happened to the end of the old man's story? Well, what would happen to the old man and the eagle? Well, the eagle's words stayed with the wise old man, and he began to focus on developing his intelligence and wisdom. He often went on long walks with the eagle, discussing various topics, and the eagle's insights were always profound. The man soon realised that the eagle was not just a pet but a wise teacher, and he became known in the village for his newfound wisdom.

In the end, the man realised that intelligence and wisdom were not separate things but two sides of the same coin. He had always thought intelligence was the key to success, but the eagle had taught him that true success comes from using intelligence wisely and with compassion.

From that day on, the man and the eagle were inseparable, and their friendship became legendary in the village. The wise old man had learned a valuable lesson, and he passed on his wisdom to anyone who would listen, all thanks to his intelligent companion, the eagle.

?Don't sweat it if you ever feel like you're not shining as bright as a star or dazzling as bright as the sun! It could be that you're just a conductor of light, my friend. You needn't be a genius to light up someone's world. Some have a knack for sparking inspirational ideas, igniting creativity, fuelling innovation in others, and that's a gift in itself. So go ahead and let your light shine.

Note: This writing is inspired by and dedicated to the GMD of MAHSA Group, Dato' Dr Shahril Haniffa Dato Dr. Shahril Haniffa , a competent leader, encouraging individual, and, yes…. a humble genius (grin).