{"id":320,"date":"2025-09-03T16:37:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T16:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/good-worldwide.go-vip.net\/upworthy\/2025\/09\/03\/subtle-signs-someone-is-smart-ex1\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T16:37:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T16:37:00","slug":"subtle-signs-someone-is-smart-ex1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodinc.com\/qa-upworthy\/2025\/09\/03\/subtle-signs-someone-is-smart-ex1\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you know someone is very smart? Here are 15 ‘subtle signs’ others notice."},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a big difference in how highly intelligent people communicate versus those with smaller IQs. A Redditor<\/u><\/a> named Occyz wanted to know how people tell the difference by asking them to share the \u201csubtle\u201d signs that someone is very intelligent.<\/u><\/a>
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The question was a big hit on the forum, receiving over 4,000 responses.<\/a><\/p>

A big takeaway is people think highly intelligent people are mentally flexible. They are always interested in learning more about a topic, open to changing their minds when they learn new information, and they’re acutely aware of what they don\u2019t know.<\/u><\/a><\/p>

In fact, according to the psychological principle known as the Dunning-Krueger effect<\/u><\/a>, there is a big confidence chasm between highly intelligent people and those who are not. Low-IQ people often overestimate what they know about topics they need to familiarize themselves with. Conversely, people with high IQs underestimate their knowledge of subjects in which they are well-versed.<\/p>

Here are 15 \u201csubtle\u201d signs that someone is highly intelligent.<\/h4>

1. They admit their mistakes<\/strong><\/p>

“When someone can admit a mistake and they know they don\u2019t know everything.”<\/em><\/p>

2. Great problem-solvers<\/strong><\/p>

“They’re very good at problem-solving. Even if it’s something they have no experience with they always approach the problem from the right angle.”<\/em><\/p>

3. They appreciate nuance<\/strong><\/p>

“‘I can hold two opposing ideas in my head at the same time.’ Anyone who is willing to do that is intriguing to me. Especially with polarizing issues. They might actually be interesting to talk to.”<\/em><\/p>


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\"woman,
Intelligent people tend to be thoughtful. Image via Canva.<\/figcaption><\/figure> <\/p>

4. They say ‘I don’t know’<\/strong><\/p>

“I like to call it being smart enough to know how stupid you are.”<\/em><\/p>

“100% this. I have a good friend who is a teaching professor at Cambridge. He is acutely aware of how \u2018little\u2019 he knows about areas outside his specialization.”<\/em><\/p>

5. They have self-doubt<\/strong><\/p>

“They struggle with imposter syndrome. Dumb people always think they\u2019re [great].”<\/em><\/p>

“It can happen but I\u2019ve met plenty who don\u2019t really doubt themselves. Instead, they take not knowing or not having any experience as an opportunity, just like people go down interesting internet rabbit holes. Really smart people can view mistakes as opportunities for growth and inexperience as an opportunity to gather new experiences.”<\/em><\/p>

The great American poet and novelist Charles Bukowski <\/a>once wrote, \u201cThe problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts and the stupid ones are full of confidence,\u201d and according to science<\/a>, he\u2019s correct.<\/p>

\u201cIgnorance is associated with exaggerated confidence in one\u2019s abilities, whereas experts are unduly tentative about their performance,\u201d Stephan Lewandowsky, Chair of Cognitive Psychology at the University of Bristol, writes for the World Economic Forum<\/u><\/a>. \u201cThis basic finding has been replicated numerous times in many different circumstances. There is very little doubt about its status as a fundamental aspect of human behavior.\u201d<\/p>

6. They ask questions<\/strong><\/p>

“They are ok with being perceived as ‘stupid’ by asking questions \u2014 if we hold back in fear, we’ll never truly learn. Plus, it’s a good way to show others it’s ok to question things if you don’t understand \u2014 better off if we’re on the same page instead of hoping things work out without being informed.”<\/em><\/p>


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\"curiosity,
It's okay to ask questions becauseu00a0that's how we learn! Image via Canva.<\/figcaption><\/figure> <\/p>

7. They love a challenge<\/strong><\/p>

“They feel challenged rather than threatened by new things, problems, ideas…”<\/em><\/p>

“‘I don’t know’ is the beginning of a puzzle, not the conclusion.”<\/em><\/p>

8. They know their audience<\/strong><\/p>

“They can adapt their communication style \u2014 vocabulary, tone, content, etc \u2014 to fit the situation and people they\u2019re talking to, and it seems completely natural.”<\/em><\/p>

“It’s a bit past code-switching, though code-switching is a part of it. Being able to explain complex thoughts in simpler terms based on audience demonstrates your understanding. If the only people who can understand you are fellow people with the same educational exposure as you, you just have knowledge, not intelligence.”<\/em><\/p>

9. They can simplify big ideas<\/strong><\/p>

“I consider someone intelligent if they’re able to explain something incredibly complicated in simpler and more readily understood terms.”<\/em><\/p>

“Fantastic teachers can make learning nearly effortless.”<\/em><\/p>

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