Intelligence is a tool,

Talent is a tool,

But they are not the only tools in the box.

There is drive, there is curiosity, even OCD or Asperger's can be turned
into a tool.

There is memory. There is personality.

I'm around 150, but all that means is that if a problem interests me, I
can figure it our a little before someone who has a lower number.

Big deal. Some times I think there is something else too, but I'm too
dum to put my finger on it. I've noticed that there is something of a
troubleshooting skill that I've got/cultivated that often allows me to
diagnose a problem a lot more quickly than most other people. Even
that's not much help, because I can often figure out a problem in a
minute, then spend the next 20 minutes trying to convince the other
people I'm with. That's led to some interesting moments, but point is I
think there is some ability to compartmentalize mental functions that
isn't directly related to IQ.

A fellow who worked for me at one time had a figurative ton of talent.
Awesome photographer, highly skilled at tabletop studio photography.

Unfortunately, he had no drive, and his work life was a sad cycle of his
talent landing him jobs, and his lack of drive losing them for him.

I've known people with below average intelligence who had other tools
like drive and personality that made them successful, and a joy to work
with.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -