The Perils of Being "Too Smart"

DR. ICHAK ADIZES challenges the notion that smarter is always better. What is able to surface when we move beyond the intellect?

- DR. ICHAK ADIZES

A fascinating Sephardic expression states, "It's not good to be 'too smart'." One might question this sentiment; after all, it seems to contradict conventional wisdom, doesn't it? The standard assumption is: the smarter the better.

But let's think about how we process information. A profound relationship exists between the brain and the heart. The more we employ our mental faculties, the less we tap into our emotional ones, erroneously believing that employing the brain is sufficient to arrive at the best decision. So, if a person is extremely smart, they are likely to be utilizing primarily their brain, which can hinder their heart's engagement.