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Employee Involvement 51

topics) is performed as a team exercise. Both individual and team perform-
ances are then reviewed. In the absence of a total breakdown in teamwork,
the quantified team score is higher than the average score of all individu-
als—a predictable outcome. However, with synergistic teamwork, the team
score not only exceeds the individual average, but also exceeds the highest
individual score—an outcome with tremendous implications for accurately
identifying the actions needed for a safe workplace.
Synergy, at first glance, appears to have connections with the world of
magic. A more comprehensive evaluation reveals that synergy is a pre-
dictable outcome of people working together. I’ve come to appreciate that
there are different forms of intelligence, and I have never met an individual
who did not excel in at least one or two of them. On the other hand, it’s a
rare individual who excels in the majority. In The Age of Paradox, author
Charles Handy identifies and describes nine separate forms of intelligence:

Factual intelligence: The intelligence demonstrated by the human en-
cyclopedia. We are envious but often bored.
Analytical intelligence: The intelligence that thrives on intellectual
problems and fun challenges such as crossword puzzles. People who
score high on this intelligence delight in reducing complex data to
more simple formulations.
Linguistic intelligence: Seen in the person who speaks seven lan-
guages and can pick up another within a month.
Spatial intelligence: The intelligence that sees patterns in things.
Artists have it, as do mathematicians and system designers.
Musical intelligence: The sort that gave Mozart his genius, but that
also drives pop stars and their bands, many of whom would never
have had a chance of going to college, because their scores on the
first two intelligences would have been too low.
Practical intelligence: The intelligence that allows young kids to take
a motor bike apart and put it together again, although they might not
be able to explain why in words.
Physical intelligence: The intelligence or talent that we can see in
sports stars, which enables some people to hit balls much better than
others, to ski better, dance better, etc.
Intuitive intelligence: The gift that some have of seeing things that
others can’t, even if they cannot explain why or wherefore.
Interpersonal intelligence: The ability to get things done with and
through other people. Without this form of intelligence, great minds
can be wasted. 5