14 INTELLIGENT BEHAVIORS

Performance can be greatly influenced by one’s behaviour. Behavior is defined as the manner in which a
person conducts himself/herself in various circumstances. When a person is behaving intelligently, he/she
is said to manifest 14 behaviors or dispositions.

The following are 14 intelligent behaviors indicative of an efficient and effective problem-solver, many of
which were originally compiled by Costa (2000):

1. PERSISTENCE – It means not giving up when the answer to a problem is not immediately known.
2. OVERCOMING IMPULSIVENESS – It involves planning, clarifying goals, exploring alternative
strategies, and considering consequences before one begins a task
3. LISTENING TO OTHERS – Some cognitive psychologists think that the ability to listen to another
person and understand their point of view is one of the highest form of intelligent behaviour.
4. FLEXIBILITY IN THINKING- It is when one considers other points of view rather than running with
the first thought that comes to mind.
5. METACOGNITION – it refers to the awareness of how one is thinking or the knowledge of what is
going on in one’s head.
6. CHECKING FOR ACCURACY AND PRECISION – it is the behaviour of not letting speed surpass the
desire for craftsmanship.
7. QUESTIONING AND PROBLEM-POSING – It means asking questions and finding out problems for
oneself.
8. APPLYING PAST KNOWLEDGE TO NEW SITUATIONS – It refers to the act of calling upon one’s store
of knowledge and experience as a source of data, theories, or processes to solve each new
challenge.
9. PRECISION OF LANGUAGE AND THOUGHTS – A person with this behaviour uses descriptive terms
to distinguish objects, and provide criteria for value judgment.
10. USING ALL THE SENSES – the senses of feeling seeing, hearing or even tasting are utilized to solve
problems more effectively.
11. CREATIVITY – It means applying ingenuity, originality, and insight. Creativity develop one’s
capacity to generate original, unique, clever, or useful products, solutions, and techniques.
12. LIVING WITH A SENSE OF WONDERMENT – involved in this behaviour are inquisitiveness,
curiosity, and openness to beauty, intricacy, complexity, and simplicity.
13. COOPERATION – Refers to taking advantage of the knowledge and insights that can only come as
a result of social relationships.
14. SENSE OF HUMOR – It refers to being able to look at situations, opportunities, problems, and
relationships with nonchalance and fun.

Possessing many of these intelligent behaviors is an advantage in the corporate world. Business firms look
not only for knowledge and experience, but also for efficiency and effectiveness. The global war for talent
is likely to intensify. Many firms and companies are already struggling to find enough well-trained and
inventive professionals.