This is the topic of a ‘Business Day’ article and describes Tony Buzan’s view on the world economic crisis.

He states that if business leaders had graduated with Master of Business Intelligence degrees as opposed to MBAs, the world may not be in the pickle it is at the moment.

Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Mapping, recently toured South Africa and, at 67, he still has a hectic schedule. He claims that his brain is sharper now at 67 than it was at 40.

Intellectual Bankruptcy

He also states that it is obvious from reading business papers and magazines such as the Wall Street Journal that it was a lack of intellect that caused the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Business leaders are taught at business schools about making short-term profits and satisfying the needs of shareholders.

Very little thinking goes into strategic planning, long-term visioning, ethics, social intelligence, creativity and innovation.

He agrees with the Wall Street Journal that the recession and bankruptcies were caused by the bankruptcy of applied intelligence. But, it can be taught.

Intelligence ‘Muscles’

We can develop the muscles of intelligence, our brains, in the same way that we develop the muscles of our bodies.

The Mind Map can unlock the brain’s potential by providing radiant thinking, the ability to reach out in all directions. It is the whole brain alternative to linear thinking and can catch thoughts from any angle.

The boundaries of our brains must be pushed, as in reality there are no boundaries. By using Mind Maps we naturally push the boundaries of our brains.

Bill Gates is reported to have said that ‘intelligence agents and Mind Mappers are taking our information democracy to the next stage.’

Geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill and Thomas Edison all use the major elements of Mind Mapping.

Tony Buzan also displays dismay at our lack of brain usage and lists the multiple intelligences we can develop.

Verbal Intelligence

There is a strong link between the word power of an individual and success. If you can express yourself well, you’ll get ahead and achieve what you want to a great deal faster.

Numerical Intelligence

Our ability to use numbers is much greater than we believe it to be. Those who can think without computers and calculators will have an immediate advantage over those that can’t.

Social Intelligence

The more skilled we are at getting along with others, the more successful we will be in every social situation

Personal Intelligence

You need to be your own best friend and colleague. You are often alone in business and you need to like yourself, if you don’t want to be in deep trouble.

Physical Intelligence

Physical Intelligence is having strength, flexibility, overall health and, above all, stamina. This requires a good cardiovascular system. Politicians of the last 20 years have realised that being fit and strong makes them more powerful leaders.

Sensory Intelligence

Sensory, ethical and spiritual intelligence measures compassion, concern and social responsibility. This will grow your love for your team and people generally.

Modern leaders and multiple intelligences

Barack Obama is a good example of someone who has developed his multiple intelligences. According to his friends, he is witty, speaks well, is fit and is verbally and mathematically intelligent.

Tony Buzan practices what he preaches. He rows 10km every day, does martial arts, swims long distance and goes to gym regularly.

His diet consists of vegetables as its base, lots of fruit and nuts, and fresh fish and fresh meat. He consumes very little gluten and dairy, and writes poetry.

Utopia for him would be for all the intelligences to be raised in everyone, everywhere, with a resultant intelligent use of resources and a more artistic, musical, healthy, sensual and energetic world.

In Tony Buzan’s recent visit to South Africa, he stated the we are at the end of the Informaiton Age. Information overload is the ‘death knell’ for the Information Age.

Even billionaire investor Warren Buffett says “in future you’ll be able to recognise billionaires because they will be the only ones without a mobile”, alluding to the fact that we are surrounded by technology that constantly disrupts thinking.

Develop your Multiple Intelligences

Now have a look at the Mind Map below of your different intelligences and start putting a plan in place to grow each one of them.