You can increase your intelligence: 5 ways to maximize your cognitive potential

The article argues that fluid intelligence is not fixed; it can be expanded through consistent, multimodal mental training. It grounds this claim in studies like Jaeggi et al.'s dual-n-back work and real-world cases where autistic children's IQ rose dramatically after intensive, varied therapy. These findings overturn the old belief that intelligence is immutable after birth.

Building on that evidence, the author distills five principles that replicate the conditions of successful training: seek novelty, constantly challenge yourself, think creatively, choose the hard way, and network. Novelty fuels dopamine and neurogenesis, novelty exposure creates new synaptic connections, and challenging tasks prevent the brain from becoming efficient and complacent. Creative cognition pushes the brain to recombine existing knowledge in new patterns, while deliberately taking harder routes forces deeper processing. Finally, diverse social interaction supplies fresh perspectives and cross-domain ideas.

For a technical leader, applying these principles means scheduling regular learning experiments-pick up an instrument, study a foreign programming paradigm, tackle a complex puzzle that feels just beyond current skill, and cultivate a habit of interdisciplinary conversation. The payoff is a brain that more readily forms connections, leading to faster problem solving, better strategic decisions, and a culture that values continuous growth.

Leaders who internalize this framework can model a growth mindset for their teams, reducing burnout by keeping work intellectually stimulating and fostering innovation. By treating cognitive development as a strategic asset, they equip themselves and their organizations to adapt to rapidly changing technical challenges.