Objective or subjective

Giftedness can formally only be assessed through a third party: an explicit investigation and measurement by expert professionals, who aim for an objective diagnosis.

Xi is connected to a subjective recognition of personal characteristics. The experience through one's senses, that three or more of the five characteristics of Xi can strongly be recognized, is sufficient 'proof'. And even if an expert professional concludes that someone is an XIP, it still remains a subjective assessment.

Many people will consider 'objectively assessed' more convincing or reliable than 'based on a subjective experience'. But it is more practical to consider it two sides of the same coin. Depending on the situation, one point of view may be more effective than the other, and vice versa.

For instance, like it occurs in a sports match, one may need an objective norm or an objective measurement to assess a difference in some level of competence between two persons.
But one can only personally experience what the daily life implications of one's own special competences are, what personal value they have, and whether they are enjoyable or not.

The basic difference between the approach through Xi or through giftedness can also be illustrated in other ways:

Third-person or first-person view

Giftedness is based on a third-person view, measuring and observing, verifying expected values.
It can be compared to making a valid passport photograph of someone.

Xi is based on a first-person view, inviting one to become aware of personal perceptions: What's it like to be you? What is your expression in the world?
It can be compared to an invitation to make a self-portrait.

High IQ or Extra intelligent

High and low have an emotional connection to safe and unsafe. Someone with a high IQ places his/her environment unintentionally in a relatively unfavorable position. That can evoke opposition, or the need to get that person a bit 'lower' to regain one's own comfort zone.

'Extra' is a more neutral description of the 'overdose' of intelligences and its respective levels that an XIP has to offer. It raises therefore less tension than the mentioning of high IQ often does.

Performance or Mastery

Giftedness is most often connected to an obligation to perform in accordance with this 'special gift'. Special programs for gifted children are of course meant to facilitate them in applying their special intelligence. But the 'prod to perform' comes along with the focus on school grades and quite often on blaming when they fall below expectations.
Some people thrive through extrinsic motivation. Others become distracted or develop a fear of failure due to their strong awareness of the expectations of their environment and their possible negative judgements.

Xi does not involve an official norm or expectation of performance. An XIP has personally acknowledged that he/she is extra intelligent. It is his/her challenge to strive for mastery through intrinsic motivation: How to become proficient to the best of one's abilities and to stretch one's limits every time if possible.
The process of expression proves to be more relevant than its result. Through careful examination of the process, one discovers one's individual style of expression, making sometimes mistakes while trying a new, possible better way of doing things.

Through recognition to expression

Our choice for the phrase 'extra intelligence', or Xi, allows to come to a personal recognition of the various behavioral characteristics that are elaborated on in very many books and articles on giftedness.
It facilitates to experience and share with others "what it's like to be you."
If you feel assured by this recognition, you can start your own search to discover your patterns of dealing with being extra intelligent in the past, present and future.

It is a delightful feeling to discover your many possibilities for expression!

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