Being smart comes in more flavors than a test score can show, and yours may point to your purpose.
Intelligence comes in more than one form, and the form you naturally lean toward can point you to work you’ll thrive in. Psychologist Howard Gardner argued this in his 1983 book Frames of Mind, and Robert Greene recommended it on the Huberman Lab podcast as a tool for finding your purpose.
Here’s the idea, how to spot your own lean, and an honest look at where the theory is debated.
What did Howard Gardner say about intelligence?
Howard Gardner proposed that people have several distinct kinds of intelligence, not a single one measured by an IQ score. In Frames of Mind (1983) he described a set of forms, and later added more.
Greene said on the podcast that most of us think of intelligence as intellectual, but there are many forms: words, abstract patterns and math, the body, social understanding, and more. He added that your brain naturally veers toward one or two, like a grain in a piece of wood.
Going with that grain, he says, is where your power lies. Going against it feels like sanding wood sideways.
This is why someone can be brilliant at reading a room and struggle with a spreadsheet, or the other way around. Neither person is “less smart.” They’re smart in different directions, and a good life usually asks you to find yours.
What are the main types of intelligence?
Gardner’s original list had 7 types, and he later added a naturalist type and considered others. Here are the commonly discussed ones.
| Type | What it looks like | Example careers |
|---|---|---|
| Linguistic | Loves words, stories, and language | Writer, lawyer, teacher |
| Logical-mathematical | Loves patterns, numbers, and puzzles | Scientist, engineer, analyst |
| Bodily-kinesthetic | Learns through movement and touch | Athlete, dancer, surgeon |
| Musical | Hears rhythm and tone easily | Musician, composer, sound designer |
| Spatial | Thinks in images and designs | Architect, designer, pilot |
| Interpersonal | Reads people and social situations | Counselor, leader, salesperson |
| Intrapersonal | Knows their own mind well | Coach, philosopher, entrepreneur |
| Naturalist | Notices patterns in living things | Biologist, gardener, ecologist |
Most people are a blend. A nurse might lean interpersonal and bodily-kinesthetic, a game designer logical and spatial. The table is a set of starting points, so expect to see yourself in 2 or 3 rows instead of 1.
How do you find your own lean?
You find your lean by noticing what you learned easily and loved as a child, and what you still do without being asked. Greene says to go back to when you were 4 or 5 and look for a direction or voice pulling you.
His own was words. He spelled words backward, made anagrams, and loved palindromes. Andrew Huberman described his as animals, biology, and how they move.
Ask yourself these 4 questions:
- What did I do for hours as a kid? Drawing, building, talking, climbing?
- What do I pick up fast? Languages, tools, people’s moods?
- What gives me a buzz in the body? Huberman described a physical activation when something delighted him.
- What do others come to me for? Advice, fixes, ideas?
Can your type of intelligence point to your purpose?
It can be a helpful clue, because work that fits your natural lean often feels more engaging and easier to learn. Emotional engagement helps learning, as the 2017 review by Tyng and colleagues in Frontiers in Psychology explains.
It’s only one clue, though. Pair it with your history, your values, and small tests, as laid out in why you feel lost in life.
What are the limits of the multiple intelligences idea?
The theory is popular, but many psychologists argue it lacks strong experimental support and that the “intelligences” overlap with talents or traits. That’s a fair criticism, and it’s worth knowing before you build your whole identity on a list.
The useful takeaway doesn’t depend on the exact number of types. People really do differ in what comes naturally and what excites them. Treat Gardner’s list as a set of prompts for self-reflection rather than a scientific personality test.
How can you use this today?
You can use it today by listing 3 things you were drawn to as a child and 3 you’re drawn to now, then looking for the shared theme. Place the shared theme next to the types above.
- Write both lists. Childhood and now.
- Circle repeats. Words, people, movement, patterns?
- Match to 1 or 2 types. Don’t force a perfect fit.
- Ask where it could be used. In your job, a hobby, or a volunteer role.
- Try it for 2 hours this week. Notice how your energy feels.
If self-doubt says “I’m not smart in the right way,” our guide on how to build self-belief offers a way forward.
Frequently asked questions
Who created the theory of multiple intelligences?
Psychologist Howard Gardner proposed it in his 1983 book Frames of Mind, arguing that people have several distinct kinds of intelligence.
How many types of intelligence are there?
Gardner’s original list had 7, and he later added a naturalist type. The exact number is debated.
Is multiple intelligences theory scientifically proven?
Not conclusively. Many psychologists say it lacks strong experimental support, so it’s best used as a prompt for self-reflection rather than a test.
How can my type of intelligence help me find my purpose?
Work that fits your natural lean tends to feel engaging and easier to learn. Use it as one clue alongside your values, history, and small experiments.
What did Robert Greene say about intelligence?
He said most people think of intelligence as intellectual, but there are many forms, and your brain veers toward one or two, which is where your power lies.
You’re smart in a way no test can fully measure. Notice where it shows up. The universe keeps sending you signs. Get one in your inbox every morning → For a gentle next step, read our guide on how to manifest.