As we use the term, ability is an individual’s current capacity to perform the various tasks in a job. Overall abilities are essentially made up of two sets of factors: intellectual and physical. Intellectual abilities are abilities needed to perform mental activities—thinking, reasoning, and problem solving. However, assessing and measuring intellectual ability are not always simple.

The seven most frequently cited dimensions making up intellectual abilities are number aptitude, verbal comprehension, perceptual speed, inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, spatial visualization, and memory. Intelligence dimensions are positively correlated, so if you score high on verbal comprehension, for example, you are also more likely to score high on spatial visualization. Research consistently indicates a correspondence between cognitive ability and task performance. However, that does not mean people with high IQs cannot have an impact on traditionally less complex jobs.

While intelligence is a big help in performing a job well, it doesn’t make people happier or more satisfied with their jobs. Although the changing nature of work suggests intellectual abilities are increasingly important for many jobs, physical abilities have been and will remain valuable. In sum, organizations are increasingly aware that an optimally productive workforce includes all types of people and does not automatically exclude anyone on the basis of personal characteristics.

The potential benefits of diversity are enormous for forward-thinking managers. Of course, integrating diverse people into an optimally productive workforce takes skill.