Many people feel that they just aren’t smart enough to be an entrepreneur, yet there seems to be no convincing evidence that a high IQ is a prerequisite for this lifestyle. We all know of successful businesses started by first-time entrepreneurs who dropped out of school, and according to manysources, “street smarts” (experience) tends to trump “book smarts” (intelligence) every time.

Another perspective is that there are in fact multiple types of intelligence, and we all have strengths and weaknesses along all of these scales. It does appear that most successful entrepreneurs are those with the broadest range of interests, skills and experiences (street smarts), while a maximum depth in any given discipline is not so important.

Here are basic definitions for the eight most commonly recognized intelligences that cover the potential of most humans, prioritized by my view of applicability to the entrepreneurial role:

1. Word-smarts (linguistic intelligence)

People with a high linguistic intelligence display a high facility for word usage and languages. They are typically good at communicating ideas, reading, writing and telling stories. Good entrepreneurs need these skills to lead a team, sell ideas to customers and investors and write business plans.

2. People-smarts (interpersonal intelligence)

These attributes are the embodiment of social skills. Entrepreneurs with high social skills interact more effectively with all their constituents. They are able to sense the feelings, motivations and temperaments of others, to enlist their support and negotiate effectively. They love working with people.

3. Self-smarts (intra-personal intelligence)

Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand your own strengths, weaknesses and motivations, and to capitalize on these insights in planning and strategy. Good entrepreneurs must be able to surround themselves with advisors and partners who complement their skills to find satisfaction and happiness.

4. Number-smarts (logical-reasoning intelligence)

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify and think logically. Entrepreneurs use strengths in this area to balance their passion for a specific solution and to develop the specific steps and financial resources required for building, rolling out and scaling the business to success.

5. Nature-smarts (naturalist intelligence)

This sort of environmental and cultural insight is deeply rooted in a sensitive, ethical and holistic understanding of the world and its complexities. I believe that good entrepreneurs use this to see new markets first, predict world trends and devise effective marketing campaigns and demographics for focus.

6. Picture-smarts (spatial intelligence)

Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions and the ability to visualize with the mind’s eye. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning and an active imagination. It’s easy to see how this is important for entrepreneurs in marketing, solution design and product branding.

7. Body-smarts (kinesthetic intelligence)

This intelligence involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind-body coordination. Business entrepreneurs who are also good at invention and building innovative new products are especially strong in this area. Strengths here also lead to leadership presence and public-speaking prowess.

8. Music-smarts (musical intelligence)

Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre and tone. In addition to being key to any business directly or indirectly related to music, this skill help entrepreneurs to be better listeners, orchestrate events and develop marketing programs. Music-smart people also tend to be logical.

In addition to looking at intelligence, every aspiring entrepreneur needs to look at mindset. The mindset that works best is one that sees challenges as exciting rather than threatening, setbacks as learning opportunities and a conviction that effort and perseverance will overcome any obstacle.

许多人觉得自己还不够聪明，不是当企业家的料。但似乎并没有确切证据表明，高智商是胜任这项工作的前提条件。我们都知道，有些曾经的辍学生初次创业就大获成功。根据许多人的说法，“街头智慧”（经验）似乎总是要优于“书本智慧”（智力）。

另一个观点认为，智力实际上也分很多种，我们每个人都有自己的长处和短处。最成功的企业家通常都有着广泛的兴趣，掌握多种技能，经验丰富（街头智慧），而对特定学科的深度了解，其实并没有那么重要。

以下是最受认可的8种智能，它们涵盖了大部分人的潜能。我根据这些智能对企业家角色的影响大小，对它们进行了排序：

1. 表达能力

表达能力强的人在措辞和言谈方面的表现十分出众。他们通常善于交流想法、阅读、写作和讲故事。优秀的企业家需要这样的技能来领导团队，向顾客和投资者兜售理念，撰写商业计划。

2. 人际交往能力

这一属性是社交技能的体现。社交能力出众的企业家能够更有效地跟所有利益攸关方互动。他们能够体会到其他人的情感、动机和性格，进而获得他们的支持。他们还特别擅长谈判，喜欢与他人合作。

3. 内省能力

内省能力指的是了解自身长处、短处和动机，并利用这些认知制定规划和战略的能力。要想获得满足与快乐，优秀的企业家必须寻找顾问和合作伙伴，用他们的技能补全自己的不足。

4. 算术能力（逻辑智力）

逻辑-算术能力指的是计算、评估和逻辑思考的能力。企业家需要应用这种能力来平衡他们对特定解决方案的强烈爱好，制定专门的计划，调配好财政资源，从而建立、启动和扩大自己的企业，取得最终的成功。

5. 自然观察能力

这种对环境和文化的洞察力，根植于一个人从道德层面和整体的角度对这个世界及其复杂性的敏锐解读。我相信优秀的企业家能利用这种能力率先发现新市场，预测全球潮流，设计有效的市场营销活动，并找到需要重点关注的人群。

6. 构想能力

构想能力代表着一个人想象三维空间，并把想法视觉化的能力。核心能力包括心理想象、空间推理和活跃的想象力。我们很容易看到它在企业家开展营销、设计解决方案和推广品牌时发挥的重要作用。

7. 肢体动觉能力

这项能力包括感知时机的能力，以及通过思维和身体的结合来完善技能的能力。那些善于发明创造和打造创新产品的企业家，往往拥有特别强大的肢体动觉能力。这种特长还会带来出色的领导力和非凡的公共演说能力。

8. 音乐能力

音乐能力是识别音高、节奏、音色和语调的能力。对于任何一家与音乐直接或间接相关的企业来说，这项能力的重要性自不待言。除此之外，它还会帮助企业家成为更好的倾听者，更加有条不紊地安排活动、开发营销项目。音乐智能高的人通常也具有很强的逻辑能力。

除了关注智力之外，每一位有抱负的企业家还需要关注自己的心态。最好的心态就是把挑战看作令人兴奋的事情，而不是威胁；把挫折看作学习的机会，并相信只要努力和坚持，就会克服一切障碍。（财富中文网）

译者：严匡正