The ‘Intelligence Quotient’ is known as IQ today. It is an objective and dependable method of evaluating an individual’s analytical and critical thinking skills. It is widely used today to test a child’s developmental progress and determine if they need individualised attention.

But does IQ provide the full picture? It seeks to quantify intelligence – but what is intelligence?

The concept of intelligence today is misunderstood by many. In India, the concept of what we consider as intelligence – or even who is intelligent – is warped.

While the IQ test can measure analytical skills, they often ignore another trait crucial for success: resilience.

But what is resilience, and why is it important? Why is building grit more important for long-term achievements? How is resilience relevant in education and beyond? 

What is Resilience?

It is the ability to persist in the face of failure. It means trying again after setbacks. It’s about finding strength in every struggle. It’s about overcoming the overwhelming fear of failure and standing our ground.

To stay and fight – that is resilience. It is this ability to persevere.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not manufactured.

The child who scores a perfect hundred, answers and participates in class, was not born with this ability. It was forged within him. From mistakes and overwhelmingly red test papers. Through long sleepless nights burning the midnight oil.

Resilience is a process. Through experiences and dejections, always in progress.

Resilience vs IQ: What’s more important?

IQ may determine how quickly a child may solve a puzzle. It measures how many times the child may fail before trying again.

It’s like attempting the puzzle repeatedly. To manoeuvre around the obstacles of life requires courage. It lies behind this courage. To face life with a face streaked with tears, a shaky voice, and two quivering legs – but doing it anyway.

Resilience is dynamic, unlike IQ which remains static. A student may smile even after receiving a poor score. What is it about failure that doesn’t break them?

Effort and discipline shape the ability to find satisfaction even in the face of setbacks.

Instead of sparking rage or disappointment, challenges leave behind a lasting sense of fulfillment.

The very act of trying can itself feel like a victory.

Why Resilience beats IQ in the long run?

The IQ test cannot quantify courage. It cannot measure the strength to get up every day at six o’clock for an entire day of classes. It cannot measure the quiet resolve of a child working steadily during their lunchbreak, hoping to improve their grades.

That is resilience. And that is grit.

A person’s IQ may be more than 160, rivalling that of Albert Einstein’s but their grit – their resilience – is not quantifiable.

Resilience is impossible to render through words but made possible through actions.

Your actions.

It is all the above things and more, but more than that, resilience is in you.