Group 'Smart'

Groupsmart--I believe sooner or later this new phrase is going to be included in the dictionaries available. And believe me its way different from being streetsmart or booksmart. As per research, the average IQ of any professional group doesnt matter much as long there is a smart person in the group with a high IQ. The effectiveness of a group can be foretold if you know the IQ of the smartest person in the room.
Wow. Thats mind boggling. Does that mean having a smart kid amongst a bunch of not-so-smarts will make the entire group perform well??? May be Yes. Apparently, the answer depends on the difference in the degree of 'sharpness' between the smart one and the 'others' in a group or team. Too much of difference in smartness between the team members may actually result in ruining of the team spirit and hence the expected results due to internal rivalries, lack of appreciation and motivation (e.g. smartness not getting recognized).
So smartness in a group is antithesis to social skills in a group. As per the research again, it helps if every one in a group has some degree of social skills rather than one person being the eager-beaver as he/she might not be the smartest person in the group to take over the activities of the team. Makes sense!

Then why do we need a group?? Why cannot a genuis get it done all?? Well because the nature and volume of the work involved to complete any decent project (creating a picket fence or making a military anti-missile system) requires a variety of skillsets and not just a smart brain. However those teams will definitely have more chances to success that has atleast one very smart person. It is the person with the highest IQ who helps the group succeed.
Can we safely conclude thus that though individual brilliance (the substance of writers like Ayn Rand) is not dead, yet it pays to blend in smartness with social skills so that balanced teams can complete projects in less time with less defects??!!

Questions To Ask Before You Decide

Ask yourself all these before you are ready to pack up and go....

1. Are you unhappy with your current job, or are you seriously concerned for your (company's) future?? This is keeping in mind that you have successfully aligned your future with that of the present company.
2. Have you hit the 'plateau' in the company and the next 'hill' is faraway? (You have evolved so fast that you need new gene pool for getting mutated or you will be a fossil gene soon)
3. Are you looking forward to Monday? Or it makes you sick to be underutilized or go un-noticed??
4. Is your current resume attracting more attention from recruiters for more meaningful role and position? ?
5. Is the work culture at your company making you feel 'happy' or 'crappy'? ?
6. Are you getting what you deserve or you are overpaid?? (In either case, change may be necessary for justifying your poor soul)
7. Are you ready to give the old job a chance ? (Give 1 more try)

inspired by an email from my friend Kripal