Book smart versus street smart: Which one is better? This question keeps many people up at night. (It’s certainly been keeping me up. Or, maybe it’s my heater that has decided to start rattling every night at 4 a.m.)
As someone who grew up in an Indian family, a good education was vigorously emphasized (read: drilled into our brains incessantly). This isn’t a bad thing. Being book-smart is essential in certain situations, like getting into law school or performing brain surgery. (You don’t want someone who got a D in brain surgery operating on your noggin.) There are also times when being book smart is useless, other than to impress your friends with how worldly and intelligent you are.
Being street smart means possessing practical knowledge, adaptability, and awareness of the social intelligence and dynamics, and risks in everyday life. Street-smart individuals can navigate and survive challenging situations by relying on their intuition, quick thinking, and ability to read people and situations accurately.
Having street smarts is crucial for understanding and responding to all types of situations that may not be taught in textbooks or formal education settings, helping individuals thrive in real-world scenarios. In other words, book smarts means knowing that tomatoes are a fruit. Street smarts means knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
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Not to brag, but if I had to rate my survival skills on a scale of one to ten, I’d go Nigel from “Spinal Tap” and choose 11.
In my lifetime, I have:
Not a single thing I learned in school helped me in any of those scenarios. What helped is an innate belief in myself and the desire to win, succeed, and survive at all costs.
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According to an article in Forbes, most of the mega-wealthy, such as Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates, didn’t succeed because of a degree. Their success came from having an inner drive, ruthless ambition, and street smarts. Because, let’s face it, you’re not going to make the next great technological invention or change our culture by coloring within the lines.
Street-smart people excel at being leaders, and they have a deep understanding of how the real world works. Social psychologist Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D., said, “Social intelligence is important as it is linked to being socially successful, and is important in professions and positions of leadership.”
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Book-smart people are great for teaching you a specific skill or concept. But what happens when something goes awry in the real world, as it often does? You can’t rely on the formulas you learned in math class.
Street-smart people have unique critical thinking skills and practical knowledge that allow them to succeed even when conditions aren’t ideal. They can make snap decisions on the fly, especially in negotiation or resolving conflict. In a debate, you’d definitely want to side with the street-smart person.
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Risks are essential in life. Whether it comes to dumping the fiancé you know isn’t right for you or quitting your job to start your own business, taking risks is a necessity for growth. Street-smart people are able to assess these risks beforehand and determine if it will work in their favor. When placed in a sketchy situation, they also have the foresight to think a few steps ahead and navigate it safely.
Imagine if Dave Grohl accepted Tom Petty’s offer to play drums for him, or Amy Schumer agreed to host “The Daily Show.” No Foo Fighters and no “Inside Amy Schumer.” And that’s a scary thought.
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Being able to read people is extremely beneficial in a work setting. Impressing your employers, networking, and knowing how to understand the nuances of people’s behavior can be used to your advantage in the workplace. Street-smart people have emotional intelligence, which is a valuable skill that can take them far in life.
Just a quick look at any given presidential race will show that it’s not often the smartest person who wins, but the one who’s sharper when it comes to relating to people. Street-smart people have a social intuition that helps them adjust their communication style and behavior depending on who they’re interacting with.
Leadership coach Dara Rossi, Ph.D., clarified, “While emotional intelligence is about managing emotions, social intelligence is about using those emotional insights to communicate and engage effectively within a group or team context.”
When you’re walking down the street, it’s best to be aware of what’s going on around you. Does that guy talking to himself seem dangerous? Is the person behind me walking a little too quickly? What’s the nearest safe place I can run to?
Street-smart people are exceptionally observant, often taking inventory of who’s around them and noting escape routes. They’re also more prepared to jump into action if a situation goes south, and are more likely to get out unscathed. When it comes to safety, street smarts will help you get out of a jam.
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The most valuable knowledge you can gain comes when you’re in a sticky situation. Psychology class is great, but nothing will make you learn quicker than dealing with an angry client.
Did your computer crash in the midst of designing their new website? Did your inventory shipment go missing? You’ll have to figure it out without letting them see you sweat, and street-smart people can do just that.
Facing unexpected challenges might be disorienting for some, but street-smart people have garnered their education from real-life encounters, diverse social groups, and various circumstances. Their experience and intuition enable them to adapt quickly, making them highly resourceful.
Street-smart people don’t give up easily when faced with a challenge. They thrive in uncertainty, and surprises or setbacks don’t bother them. Their emotional and social intelligence can give them different perspectives with which to approach problems, helping them pivot easily to reach their goal.
Compared to cognitive intelligence, studies have found that other types of intelligence are far better in certain situations. Business professors Regan Stevenson and Jared Allen explained, “Emotional intelligence increases the likelihood that an individual can sustain their motivation in the face of emotionally difficult situations. Emotional intelligence is also linked to greater resiliency, better adaptation in response to rapid change, responding more positively to failure, and better management of adverse life events.”
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Rachel Khona is a lifestyle freelance writer and entrepreneur whose work has been featured in Playboy, Penthouse, The Washington Post, Maxim, Allure, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Bustle, and The New York Times.
