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I spent most of my career in the securities business and had two lawyers from different firms that I regularly relied upon to help me navigate securities and tax law. Both were partners at top Wall St firms and from top law schools.

One guy was absolutely brilliant. I don't know what his IQ was, but he was thought by everyone to be a genius (and was rumored to have an IQ to match). He was incredibly good at digging down into the most arcane issues and finding solutions to problems and identifying potential problems that might arise if certain actions were taken.

The other guy was just a good solid lawyer. Very smart, but not brilliant...just solid. He was very good in his understanding of the law, but was excellent when it came to the practical application of the law to the real life issues we were facing. I'm sure his IQ was quite high in that he was from a top school and had made partner at a young age at a top firm...but his gift was that he was balanced, measured, and mature. His gifts did not require nor would they have been expressed by a high IQ.

This is what I am referring to when I say that IQ alone isn't a good predictor of success (at least at the professional level of performance that I needed).

IQ alone isn't a good predictor of success

So true.

I have known many people with high IQs. I even married one. Their IQ scores bought them spots in gifted classes and schools. Yet, overall, they were no more successful in their careers and their lives than other people. One was a member of Mensa, and in addition to her reported intelligence, she was very pretty. But, if she had never told me about her IQ, I would have never guessed. Her personal life was a mess, and her work performance was unimpressive. The only benefit her IQ bought her was some bragging rights.

Maybe an employer should consider an IQ score as one factor for certain types of work, but an employee's skills and work ethic are far more important in most jobs.

This is what I am referring to when I say that IQ alone isn't a good predictor of success (at least at the professional level of performance that I needed).

I think you are referring to EQ then. People with a high emotional intelligence are highly valuable in the work place. Under the worst conditions they capture any one of their emotions and subdue it with an appropriate response. The higher the person's EQ the more they come across as being able to handle anything in the workplace.

i think iq test is also a great measure of success in jobs where you will do most of your learning on the job. That wouldn’t include doctor or lawyer. I am thinking of financial trading type of jobs, for example. Abstract reasoning is critical.