Why Success Isn’t About Intelligence, According to Entrepreneur Simon Squibb

In a recent LinkedIn post, Simon Squibb discusses a surprising observation about highly successful entrepreneurs, challenging conventional notions of intelligence as the primary driver of success. Squibb, an entrepreneur and investor, shares insights gleaned from his three decades of experience interacting with and learning from the top 0.1% of business leaders.

Squibb begins by highlighting the disconnect he observed between academic intelligence and real-world entrepreneurial success. He notes that often, the smartest individuals end up working for those they might consider less intelligent, prompting a critical question about educational systems. As Squibb articulates:

“So why does school treat intelligence like it’s the be-all and end-all of success? Because it’s not.”

Challenging Conventional Wisdom on Success

The core of Simon Squibb’s argument is that traditional schooling often overemphasizes intellectual prowess, a metric that doesn’t necessarily translate to entrepreneurial achievement. He posits that true success in business is governed by a different set of principles, ones that often run counter to what is taught in academic settings.

Squibb explains that his understanding of these principles was hard-won, developed over years of building businesses, investing, and even selling his own company to one of these highly successful individuals. This extensive experience led him to a profound realization:

“Success doesn’t run on intelligence. It runs on a set of rules… and they’re the OPPOSITE of what school taught you.”

The “Rules” of Entrepreneurial Success

While Squibb does not detail all the rules within the LinkedIn post itself, he directs his audience to a free video on his YouTube channel where he elaborates on these eight principles. He frames these rules as being fundamentally different from the conventional wisdom promoted by educational institutions. This distinction is crucial to his message, suggesting that a different mindset and approach are required to achieve significant entrepreneurial success.

Squibb’s perspective suggests that factors beyond raw intellect—such as resilience, strategic thinking, adaptability, and perhaps a unique understanding of market dynamics—are the true engines of entrepreneurial achievement. As he implies, the individuals at the pinnacle of the business world often operate by a distinct playbook, one that prioritizes practical application and unconventional strategies over purely academic knowledge.

Implications for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Simon Squibb’s insights offer a valuable recalibration of focus. Instead of solely concentrating on intellectual development or academic achievements, he encourages a deeper look into the practical, often counter-intuitive, strategies employed by those who have demonstrably succeeded. His message is a call to question traditional definitions of success and to explore alternative frameworks that may be more effective in the real world of business building.

Squibb’s emphasis on a specific set of rules, which he contrasts with school-taught intelligence, invites a broader conversation about what truly constitutes success in the entrepreneurial landscape. His experience as a builder and investor provides a credible foundation for these observations, positioning him as a thought leader offering a unique perspective on a topic that resonates deeply with business professionals.