Intelligence - Intangible problem solving

When it comes to intangible problems, superior thinkers are able to

• Grasp the key issue or issues clearly and fully. They can analytically examine the available facts, objectively evaluate their implications, and seeing the underlying issues. They can penetrate the heart of the problem, but also keep the related issues in perspective. Avoid emotional impact or arriving the conclusion too early without grasping all the issues.
• Define what their objectives should be, given these issues. By examining the issues, they can see what ends must be reached in order to deal with the issues effectively. This means being able to see not only the issue, but also the individual's, the department's, the organization's, and at times even society's relationship to the issue.
• Plan a comprehensive course of action that addresses the key issues. They can come up with a coherent, realistic plan of action that brings to their objectives and, to the extent possible, resolves the underlying issues. If longer-term objectives are involved, they can plan how to follow through and then implement than plan.

Intelligence - Tangible problem solving

To solve tangible problem, thinkers are able to

• Focus accurately and effectively. They are able to see the whole picture with enough details. They will be able to see the details that size up the overall problem.
• Address unfamiliarity by adapting their knowledge and experience. They have to be flexible in thinking as unfamiliar problems will be different from the familiar problems.
• Structure approaches and solutions to unstructured problems. When necessary, they can create a structure for approaching the problem and developing a solution. They can think visually and see the problem. They can devise a new concept in order to structure an unstructured situation.
• Excercise good judgement. They can properly evaluate the goodness of fit between the problem and the solution, and they can look beyond the immediate problem to evaluate the potential impact of their solution.