The 4 Types of Smart: Which One Are You?

In my counseling work, I often raise awareness about the 4 types of “Smart”:

1. Practical Smart – the pragmatic, hands-on, street-wise kind of smart that gets things done without paying too much attention to “feelings” or fine details. 

2. Book Smart – the science, maths, and theoretical kind of smart. Some would call this being “academically smart.” 

3. Social Smart – the kind of smart that comes from having a talent for reading the room and working with the “feelings” of others.

4. Self Smart – the kind of smart that comes from knowing your own feelings and values, and living a life that is true to them. This brings “inner awareness,” “self smartness,” and a sense of congruence in many things they do.

Types 1 and 2 relate to the thinking type of smart. 

Types 3 and 4 relate to the feeling type of smart.

I have never met anyone who is equally strong in all four domains.

Most people tend to be:
1. Great or talented in one
2. Good/very good in one
3. Okay/not great in one
4. And perhaps hopeless in one

Knowing your own kind of smart is very important. Equally, knowing your “blind spot” is just as important. 

School, parents, and friends often nurture the first three types of smartness. But the fourth – “Self Smart” – is often neglected until we engage in self-discovery, therapy or coaching. 

Without this awareness, maladaptation, adjustment difficulties, lack of thriving, anxiety, and stress are more likely.

Supporting the Inner Compass Personality Style in ADHD/ASD

Many ADHD/ASD folks I see have a very “inner compass” personality style i.e. they are more biased or focused on doing things that “make sense” to them or “feel right” to them, rather than following the “outer compass,” which is what the world wants from them.

To some extent, they are contrarian thinkers, and contrarian thinkers often have a tough life, especially in the early years when they don’t yet have the power, skills, or resources to follow their contrarian thinking.

This can lead to misunderstanding, unmet expectations, and subsequent anxiety/depression. 

From a psychotherapy point of view, I try to help them:

1. Embrace their “inner compass” personality style.

2. Work on the “outer compass” skills or find “outer compass” folks to complement them for workability. 

3. Most importantly, I encourage them not to judge themselves based on how well they manage the outer compass demands — in order to maintain self-esteem.

If self-esteem is preserved through self-understanding and self-acceptance, then these “inner compass contrarian thinkers” may find far more success in later life, when they have the power, resources, knowledge and skills to bring their inner compass ideas to the world.

The Hidden Struggle: Emotional Colorblindness

If feelings and emotions are like colors, then some of our patients are “colorblind” to them. This can be mild, moderate, or severe. The challenge is, they may not even be aware of it.

And that’s where the difficulties can begin.

It can lead to grief, anxiety, maladjustment, and relationship issues.

So, what’s the solution? 

The first step is to recognize it. Acknowledge that they are “colorblind” to feelings, emotionally accept and embrace it, learn more about it, but do not tie it to their self-worth. Adapt to it, and find trusted people who are not “colorblind” to feelings to complement them. 

I wonder if you can relate?

Mac vs Windows: A Metaphor for Neurodiversity

I often explain neurodivergence versus neurotypical functioning using a simple analogy: Mac iOS vs Microsoft Windows.

Neither is inherently good or bad. What works well—or doesn’t—depends entirely on the context.

A Mac thrives in a Mac environment.

Windows functions best in a Windows-compatible world.

In my counselling work, I often see both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals struggling—not because of who they are, but because they’re operating in a context that doesn’t suit them.

It’s hard to change who you are. But when you understand your own operating system—your brain, how it operates, your needs, your values—you can begin to find, adapt, or even create the right environment for yourself. And that can make a profound difference.

The right context can reduce stress, ease inner conflict, and lower the risk of developing Adjustment Disorder with anxious or depressed mood.

Understanding yourself isn’t just self-awareness—it’s a pathway to resilience.