1 of 17

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES AT ‘WORK’: HARNESSING EMPLOYEE POTENTIAL

PRESENTER: Dr. Carmel Roofe-Bowen

2 of 17

Our Uniqueness

Activity

Write or burrow a slogan that describes you.

Share the slogan with the group

3 of 17

Objectives of the session

By the end of the session you should be able to:

define Gardner’s eight intelligences

think differently about assigning job roles

apply the Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory to meeting the needs of employees

4 of 17

Defining Multiple Intelligences

Gardner (1999) regards intelligence as a set of abilities, talents and skills in eight areas.

All humans possess these intelligences in varying degrees and apply them depending on their preferences, activities and environments.

5 of 17

Eight Ways of Being Intelligent

6 of 17

Aligning Careers with Intelligences

Verbal/Linguistic- Poets, Journalists, Lawyer, Sales persons, Secretaries etc.

Logical-Mathematical- Accountants, Computer Programmer, Investment Broker, Analyst etc.

Spatial- Advertiser, Artist, Decorator, Hair Stylist, Architect, Pilots etc.

Bodily-Kinesthetic- Dancer, Athlete, Actor, Models

7 of 17

Aligning Careers with Intelligences

Interpersonal- Politicians, CEOs, Sales Person, Customer Relations Personnel, Administrators

Musical- Composers, Audio Technician, Singer, Dancer, Choir Director, Music Teacher

Intrapersonal- Counsellors, Therapists, Social Workers, Pastors, Manager, Entrepreneur

Naturalistic- Farmer, Landscaper, Zoo Keeper

8 of 17

Determining your intelligences

Activity

Complete the checklist to determine the different ways in which you are smart.

Add how many of each number you have circled

Your highest total for each number represents your natural intelligences and potential

Based on your results do you think your strengths are maximized in your current job function?

9 of 17

Team Activity

Examine at least one position in your organization and use the job profile sheet to rate the skills that are most important according to the intelligences for this position.

**If you are not able to examine the position, examine a job task that is usually assigned to persons

10 of 17

Creating Job Profiles Using MI

Examine the example provided

Specify the skills in relation to that position/task

Develop a summary sheet with the skills and position to determine the type of person you would want for this position/task

11 of 17

Think about

Think about the persons who perform these tasks. Do you think they are appropriately positioned?

Do you have a delinquent staff member? If yes, do you think that the understanding of multiple intelligences could assist this person as it relates to duties assigned?

12 of 17

Assessing Staff

After aligning tasks with intelligences, develop some questions that you could use to determine suitability for this position.

For example on a scale of 1-5 state how much do you enjoy writing speeches, taking minutes, reporting on an assigned task etc.

13 of 17

What are the lessons for those who supervise and manage people

MI represents a wider perspective for assigning roles

In order to create effective teams their needs to be a mix of those who are strong in certain areas.

Create work spaces that allow for diversity (blend of the intelligences)

14 of 17

What are the lessons for those who supervise and manage people

Workers should be given the opportunity to express their talents/intelligences

People are different and so they may not fit into our concept of how they should think or act.

Differences are to be appreciated and channelled to increase productivity

15 of 17

QUESTIONS/FINAL COMMENTS

16 of 17

Reference

Martin, J. (2001). Profiting from Multiple Intelligences in the Workplace. England, Gower Publishing Limited

17 of 17

Contact

Telephone

(876) 844-9846