What are the traits of a person who has an above-average IQ?

This quora can only be answered by a creating a random, composite, imaginary person that may or may not represent one person among the four billion of us sporting an above-average IQ — let’s call that the broad brush. Or the answer may derive from experience with these smart folks. Despite being a narrower brush, it is real life and a helluva lot more interesting.

My experience falls into bad and good buckets. Among the bad is a computer consultant who brags incessantly, annoyingly, and abusively how smart he is and how much money he is banking or will bank. He lost what little credibility he had when he asked me to “loan” him a few thousand (which I did in a flash of foolish generosity) and then disappeared, refusing to answer my calls or tweets. I finally tracked down his accountant who apologized for his client and paid me. I know three others of similar ilk.

The basic trait of these persons with high (they say) IQ is arrogance, supported by lying, cheating, and thievery. High IQ does not guarantee stellar character. I am fortunate to have divorced all.

Among the good in my circle are a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at a large medical complex; an engineer who is expert in preventing electrical fires; a Dean of a business school and a Provost at a prestigious university; a pediatric surgeon; a former president of a large manufacturing firm; a marketing VP for an engineering firm; the President and Partner of a financial management firm … and others.

All would rather poke a sharp stick in an eye than brag about their many and significant accomplishments, especially their wealth.

Humility is part of their DNA, and it shows in their subdued lifestyle.

I have written extensively about arrogance as the source of failure and humility as the source of success, starting with two of my earlier books, The Power of Dignity and The Power of Ethics.