Keynote: We are Smarter than Me

Speaker: Lior Zoref

Summary by Jen Abbott, ICS

Lior Zoref is a former VP of Marketing at Microsoft and an expert and author in the field of collective intelligence, assisting organisations in making better decisions and generating creative ideas by tapping into the power of collective intelligence.

Within the first five minutes of his talk, Zoref captivated the audience by having a snake handler drape a giant python around a volunteer on stage. He asked the audience to vote on the python’s length on our phones and he revealed the average of our answers after a couple of minutes. To our surprise, the average of our responses was within one centimetre of the python’s actual length. How is this possible? I would soon learn that this is possible through collective intelligence - utilizing the collective wisdom of crowds to find solutions to problems.

Network Intelligence (NQ)

In today's fast-paced and constantly evolving business world, intelligence is undoubtedly an asset. Historically, we have measured intelligence as a quotient expressed as an IQ score, however, in recent years, the concept of intelligence has expanded to include emotional intelligence or EQ, which has gained popularity, particularly in the conference industry where building and maintaining relationships with clients is crucial.

In his presentation, Zoref introduced the idea of NQ or Network Intelligence as an important third intelligence that can complement IQ and EQ and enhance the individual’s overall intelligence toolkit. Network Intelligence refers to the ability to understand and navigate social networks and to leverage those networks to achieve goals. This can include building relationships with key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and understanding the social dynamics that underpin complex organisations.

While IQ and EQ are measures of individual aptitudes, NQ is more about understanding the collective intelligence of a network and finding ways to harness that intelligence to achieve success. Like any other skill, NQ requires practice, and it may not be the right tool for every situation. Yet, by understanding the power of social networks and developing skills to navigate them effectively, individuals and organisations can unlock new opportunities and achieve greater success.

Zoref’s inspiring presentation has personal and professional applications. By thinking together, we can access more accurate solutions than thinking alone, and by tapping into the power of our connections and network we can achieve our collective goals.