7 things highly intelligent people almost always notice about others

We all have our unique ways of observing the world around us. Some focus on surface-level details, while others delve deeper, discerning subtle nuances about people and situations that many might miss.
Highly intelligent individuals often fall into this latter category. Their keen perception allows them to pick up on things that fly under most people’s radar.
But what exactly are these things that highly intelligent people notice? Let’s delve into the seven insights that they often glean from their interactions with others, and how these shape their understanding of the world.
1) Authenticity
In a world where many people strive to present curated versions of themselves, highly intelligent individuals often have a knack for recognizing authenticity. Their keen perception enables them to notice when someone is being genuine versus when they’re putting on a facade.
These individuals are usually not swayed by superficial charm or ostentation. Instead, they are drawn to those who demonstrate sincerity in their actions and words.
They appreciate honesty and transparency, recognizing these as indicators of a person’s integrity.
Being able to discern authenticity is not about judgment, but rather about understanding people on a deeper level.
It’s about seeing past the surface and appreciating people for who they truly are, with all their strengths and vulnerabilities.
This ability to notice authenticity can greatly enhance their interactions with others, leading to more meaningful connections and mutual understanding. It’s not about exploiting this insight for personal gain, but rather using it to build relationships based on mutual respect and genuine interaction.
2) Emotional intelligence
Just as important as cognitive intelligence is emotional intelligence, and highly intelligent people are often attuned to this.
They can pick up on people’s emotional states, noticing subtle cues in body language, tone of voice, and choice of words. This is not about manipulating emotions but understanding them.
I’ve often found myself in situations where I’m acutely aware of the emotional undercurrents in a room. It’s a skill that has served me well over the years as it enables me to engage with people in a more empathetic and understanding way.
Being able to recognize and understand emotions in others is also a powerful tool for fostering deeper connections. It allows us to respond effectively to the needs and feelings of others, leading to mutual respect and stronger relationships.
As Daniel Goleman, author and psychologist known for his work on emotional intelligence, once said: “In a very real sense we have two minds, one that thinks and one that feels. And how we do in life is dictated by the ratio of their balance.”
Understanding this balance is key to navigating our relationships with others.
3) Resilience in the face of adversity
Highly intelligent people often notice how others respond to challenges and setbacks. They pay attention not just to what happens, but how people react, adapt, and overcome.
It’s not the events themselves, but the resilience demonstrated in the face of adversity that truly speaks volumes about a person’s character.
In my personal journey, I’ve encountered numerous setbacks and obstacles.
But I’ve learned that it’s not about avoiding failure; instead, it’s about embracing it as a part of the growth process. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and evolve.
I explored this concept in-depth in a video I made about the dark side of entrepreneurship.
In it, I discuss how society often glamorizes the dream of becoming an entrepreneur but overlooks the resilience and mindset required to get there. The key takeaway is that true fulfillment comes from the journey itself, even when it’s challenging, rather than being solely fixated on the outcome.
You can watch it here:

Finding inner strength amidst life’s challenges can be a complex journey. If you want to join me and over 20,000 others exploring living a life with more purpose and freedom, I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel. Together, we can navigate this path and learn from each other’s experiences.
4) Personal accountability
One trait that highly intelligent people often notice about others is their level of personal accountability. They observe whether individuals take responsibility for their actions or whether they tend to shift blame onto external circumstances or other people.
In my view, personal accountability is a cornerstone of empowerment. Instead of falling into the trap of victimhood, we have the choice to take control of our attitudes, actions, and responses.
This doesn’t mean we’re immune to external influences, but we have the power to decide how we respond to them.
This is sometimes a harsh truth to acknowledge, as it’s easier to blame others or our environment for our shortcomings. Yet, it’s through accepting this responsibility that we find our freedom and resilience.
It allows us to move from being passive recipients of life to active participants, shaping our own experiences.
This is not an easy path, but it’s a fulfilling one as it fosters a sense of agency and empowerment in our lives.
We are not just products of our environment, but creators of our own destiny. Recognizing this in others tells highly intelligent people a lot about their mindset and approach to life.
5) Respect for diversity
Highly intelligent individuals are often attuned to the value of diversity and difference in others. They understand that our unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to a rich tapestry of human existence, and they seek to learn from this diversity rather than dismiss or diminish it.
This is a belief that I hold dear as well. I firmly believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other identities.
Our differences are not barriers to connection but invitations to understanding and empathy.
Yet, it’s not enough to simply acknowledge diversity. We must actively respect and value it in our interactions with others. This means not just tolerating difference but celebrating it, seeing it as a source of strength rather than division.
This sentiment is echoed in a video I made questioning some of the groupthink in new-age circles, where I challenge the notion that we should all think and act in the same way. Instead, I argue for the importance of diverse perspectives and individual thinking.
You can watch it here:

In recognizing and respecting diversity in others, we not only enrich our own understanding of the world but also contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.
6) The ability to listen
We often think of intelligent people as those who have a lot to say, who can articulate their thoughts eloquently, and who can deliver compelling arguments. But highly intelligent people frequently notice a less obvious trait in others: the ability to listen.
Listening, truly listening, is a skill often overlooked in our fast-paced, opinion-driven society. It’s not merely about being silent while the other person talks but about being present, absorbing their words, and seeking to understand their perspective.
It requires empathy, patience, and humility—admitting that we don’t have all the answers and that we can learn from others. It’s a quiet skill but a powerful one, revealing a willingness to learn and grow.
In my work with Ideapod and The Vessel, I’ve seen how transformative the act of listening can be. It fosters mutual respect, facilitates understanding, and cultivates stronger, more authentic relationships.
In a world that often prioritizes speaking, those who master the art of listening stand out.
7) Growth mindset
Highly intelligent people have a keen eye for spotting a growth mindset in others. They notice whether individuals see challenges as insurmountable obstacles or opportunities for growth and learning.
A growth mindset, a term coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, refers to the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and resilience. It’s not about being the best; it’s about constantly becoming better.
This mindset is not just about personal development. It extends to how we view failures and setbacks, how we overcome adversity, and how we adapt to change. It’s about seeing every experience, good or bad, as a stepping stone towards growth and evolution.
In my own journey of self-awareness and growth, I’ve found that adopting a growth mindset has been crucial. It has enabled me to see obstacles as opportunities and to view failure not as a dead-end but as feedback.
I believe that by adopting a growth mindset, we can foster resilience, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning. And spotting this mindset in others tells highly intelligent people a great deal about their character, resilience, and approach to life.
The power of observation
The complexities of human interactions and behaviors are fascinating and often reveal much about our character.
It’s not only about what we say or do, but also how we react to situations, how we handle adversity, and how we relate to others.
For highly intelligent individuals, these nuances do not go unnoticed. The subtleties in one’s actions, their ability to listen genuinely, the way one handles setbacks or their respect for diversity – all these aspects contribute to a broader understanding of human nature.
These observations are not only insightful but also offer a unique perspective on how we can navigate our social interactions more effectively. They highlight the importance of empathy, resilience, personal accountability, and a growth mindset in fostering meaningful relationships and personal growth.
Whether we identify as highly intelligent or not, understanding these traits can enhance our interactions with others. It gives us the tools to not only understand others better but also reflect on our own behavior and attitudes.
So, I pose this question: What do you notice in others that most people miss? And how can this insight enhance your understanding and interactions with those around you?
For more thought-provoking discussions on such topics and to explore living life with more authenticity, consider joining me and over 20,000 others on my journey by subscribing to my YouTube channel. Let’s continue the conversation there.