I would say that IQ is the strongest predictor of which field you

Hear now, the words of Daniel Goleman, who spoke of the powers of the mind: “I would say that IQ is the strongest predictor of which field you can get into and hold a job in, whether you can be an accountant, lawyer or nurse, for example.” This utterance is not a boast of intellect, nor a diminishing of heart, but a recognition of the gatekeeper that intelligence often becomes in the great journey of life. For in the realms of labor and learning, the first test is not always of courage or character, but of the mind’s ability to grasp, to calculate, to remember, and to solve.

From the earliest ages, societies have measured their sons and daughters by the strength of their wits. The Greeks raised high the philosophers and mathematicians, believing that reason was the path to the divine order of the cosmos. In later centuries, the academies of Europe divided men into those who could ascend the towers of law, medicine, and finance, and those who must remain in the fields and workshops. Goleman, in his wisdom, does not deny that other gifts matter, but he reminds us that IQ—this measure of cognitive strength—is like a threshold stone: it determines which doors can first be opened, though not necessarily how far one will go within.

Think of the tale of Alan Turing, the brilliant mind of the twentieth century, who broke the German Enigma code during the Second World War. His intelligence gained him entry into the highest echelons of strategic work, where lesser minds could not follow. Without his gift for numbers and logic, such a field would have remained closed to him. Yet here lies the deeper lesson: though IQ carried him through the gate, it was his perseverance, creativity, and the moral courage to pursue truth against resistance that carved his legacy into history. Thus, intelligence may determine where you begin, but not the totality of your destiny.

Goleman’s words also carry a hidden caution. If IQ is the strongest predictor of entry, then many who lack its measurable strength may find doors closed before their hands even touch the latch. This can bring despair, if misunderstood. For though IQ grants access to fields like law, medicine, or accounting, it is not the sole measure of worth. There are countless paths where the fire of emotional intelligence, of resilience, of empathy, and of craftsmanship can forge greatness. The farmer who coaxes abundance from the soil, the artist whose brush awakens the soul, the leader who inspires men to sacrifice for one another—these triumphs may not rest upon IQ alone, yet they shape civilizations.

Thus, the origin of Goleman’s teaching springs from his lifelong work in psychology and the study of intelligence. He sought to show that while cognitive ability predicts professional entry, other forms of intelligence—emotional, social, moral—predict the flourishing of life. Many may be admitted to lofty halls by reason of their IQ, but only those who master the heart as well as the mind shall rise to greatness within them.

The lesson, therefore, is not to despair if your measured IQ is modest, nor to grow proud if it is high. Instead, know where the strength of intellect matters most, and seek to cultivate what lies beyond it. If your path requires the gateway of mental rigor—be it law, nursing, or accounting—prepare diligently, for the mind must be sharpened like a blade before battle. Yet remember always that once within the field, it is discipline, compassion, and perseverance that will sustain you.

Practical action follows from this truth: nurture your mind, for it will open doors. Study with devotion, and do not shrink from the labors of learning. But also, nurture your character, for once the gate is passed, it is your heart and will that determine the fullness of your journey. Do not let the measure of IQ define the measure of your life; let it be but one stone upon the path, and lay alongside it the greater stones of kindness, vision, and courage.

So take this teaching into your soul: IQ opens the way, but it does not finish the journey. Walk humbly, cultivate all the gifts of your being, and you shall find that though some doors remain closed, the doors that open to you may yet lead to greatness, if you walk through them with wisdom.