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Work and occupational

Howard Gardner: Forming a synergistic team

Howard Gardner is Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at Harvard University. He is the author of many books on intelligence, creativity, leadership, and professional ethics.

03 November 2011

By Guest

For many years I have hired research assistants. In the past, without realizing it, I always was looking for someone like me, with the same strengths, mode of communication and the like.

This tendency continued even after I arrived at my theory of multiple intelligences. But about 15 years ago, I realized that it was pointless to try to duplicate myself – one of me sufficed.

Now, drawing on the practical implications of “Multiple Intelligences theory” I think much more about individuals’ different strengths and profiles and how to put together an effective and synergistic team.

That said, I still depend on complete trustworthiness and sense of responsibility – those remain non-negotiable.