Success of any kind is more closely related to how one takes hold of the opportunity and applies his skills and talents at right time. There are many people in this world who haven't even went to school, but still they become the richest person in this world. Highly intelligent people who do not choose to use that intelligence to maximize their financial success and some who, while being extremely intelligent, have other characteristics that stand in the way of all sorts of opportunities, financial or otherwise. An average intelligence along with common sense, talent, skills and of course a bit of luck play a huge part in successes in becoming rich. There are so many factors and variables to this question that to single one or two out would not give a true answer.

Thank Dr. Rao for arising a nice question. You mentioned only financial success. For this, no matter how old you are, where you’re from, what is you religion, gender, education or what you do for a living, we all need money, drive a nice car, nice partner and live in a beautiful house. However, although success can be achieved, it does not come easily. Firstly you need at least one new idea rather than hardwork. If this idea click around the world, you financial success will be achieved. No need other matters. Secondly you need to be patience, think big, dont afraid of failure, avoid conflicts, be brave, avoid discourangement situations, positive attitude and finally willing to work hard.

Success of any kind is more closely related to how one takes hold of the opportunity and applies his skills and talents at right time. There are many people in this world who haven't even went to school, but still they become the richest person in this world. Highly intelligent people who do not choose to use that intelligence to maximize their financial success and some who, while being extremely intelligent, have other characteristics that stand in the way of all sorts of opportunities, financial or otherwise. An average intelligence along with common sense, talent, skills and of course a bit of luck play a huge part in successes in becoming rich. There are so many factors and variables to this question that to single one or two out would not give a true answer.

Dear Dr. Bhuiyan and Prof. Yogesh

Thank you for your contributions.

Best wishes.

Ww would seldom tell our children not to for a good paying job and to devote time to the beautiea of the world, unleas we know that we or them have a few days left. The leason is, no matter how intelligent some of us are, we are just crawlling in life. Congratulations dear Roland, you may ahead of the majority. I hope you feel that way at all times. And that I also grow on that sense too. All of us.

Dear @Rao, intelligence and hard work may be hindrances for financial success in countries with good value system! But, more often political connections, corruption, gumption give better results than hard work!

Depends on situations!

In long run, genuinely intelligent, street smart persons with hard work are more successful in life and may be wealthy.

In short run, intelligence and hard work (physical or mental) may help.

--- However, the combination of -- a level of intelligence, hard work, and smart way of doing are essential for success and achievement.

My patent was the fruit of my intelligence and application.

A company has invested about it.

Financial success to my University and Italian taxation Agency.

That is very nice experience dear @Enzo! An example of successful synergy! Good for all 3 parties! Congratulations!

Dear Friends

I am overwhelmed with the wealth of ideas and opinions! Thanks a lot. I wish we have more of Rolands in the societies of all the countries, but alas in my country the majority are running after money, material wealth, name, fame, power and easy comforts. A person with moral and ethical values/conduct and contended with his contributions or possessions is considered a misfit and a failure and is looked down by every one. A rich and wealthy man/woman or a person in power is respected and feared. Means (intelligence, hard work, sincerity, straightforwardness etc. are considered disqualifications!) to become  wealthy are not as important as the end.

I am sure these ideas and views will be helpful to mold the careers of young and upcoming RG members.

Regards.

First, Prof Rao, you must define financial success...  The richest people in my country (see the link) aren't all the most intelligent and hard working people.  

Perhaps intelligent people see the futility of gaining wealth, that we cannot take with us when we leave this world.  We prefer to do something with our lives that will benefit our community, and have good positive impact on our community.  Intelligent researchers may be even more concerned about positive impact on our community, than impact factor, although impact factor is a good thing too.  (I also agree with the views of Yogesh and Ljubomir.)  SO INTELLIGENT PEOPLE MAY NOT THINK SO MUCH OF MAKING A FORTUNE... thus intelligence hinders financial success!

AND if I define 'success' as having enough for my needs in this life, and to do some good with my material goods, and contributing to the knowledge and wisdom of the people with whom I interact, I would think that ALL of us are successful!  (And let's be like this man.)

http://www.techspot.com/news/51830-forbes-bill-gates-is-the-worlds-most-generous-person.html

http://www.forbes.com/malaysia-billionaires/list/

Dear Miranda

Your noble thoughts are worth emulating by all young RG friends. Financial success is acquisition, accumulation, retention and multiplication of wealth (money, material wealth, power and influence that comes with the riches, wealth of humans working for a rich person and all the associated comforts). 

Do you consider acquiring wealth as futile? Philosophically no one carries any thing when they leave their bodies behind. But the problem is when a person has a body and the life force is flowing with full steam in that body. If you want to do something to your family, community, locality, village etc. the intention in itself will not achieve the goal, you need men, material and money. Can you do good research work without facilities and funds? The days of thinkers and philosophers are gone long back. There is nothing wrong in rightfully earning money (as much as you can) and purposefully spending it.

Definition of success may be personal and is associated with personal attitudes and ambitions.

Thanks for your excellent attachments.

Good luck.

Prof Rao, You are right that being rich and using the money for noble purposes is a GOOD WONDERFUL THING, far from being wrong.  How many of us can emulate this, I wonder?  Perhaps we are predestined for other noble purposes in this life.

'Gates earned the title of most generous person for his work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where he has already given more than $28 billion. His ultimately goal with the project is to do away with deadly diseases like malaria and polio.

Aside from his work with the foundation, Gates has been trying to convince other billionaires to sign the Giving Pledge. Those who sign agree to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes when they die. Along with friend Warren Buffett, the two have recently added 12 non-Americans to the list including the UK’s Richard Branson and Azim Premji from India.'

http://www.techspot.com/news/51830-forbes-bill-gates-is-the-worlds-most-generous-person.html

Where systems are not honest and effective, intelligence and hard work may become hindrances for financial success of a person.

In such systems, connections and manipulations may help more in financial success. Businessmen those can affect and manipulate Government policies are earning more money.

In honest systems, intelligence and hard work pay for financial success of a person.

Thanks!

Dear Miranda

If  there is a will there is a way. Thanks for your informative attachments.

Best wishes.

Dear Dr. Aldalal

Thank you for your useful quotation and interesting attachments.

Today's man of value is a powerful politician or an unimaginably rich business tycoon. 

Best wishes.

Dear Prof. Subhash

I agree with your views.

You are aware that in India wise people say Saraswathy (Goddess of learning, intelligence and intellectual wealth) and Lakshmi (Goddess of material wealth) can not live harmoniously in a house (house may mean a home or a person).

Best wishes. 

Yes, Dear Dr. Rao,

We can compare two identity here:

1. Teacher --- representing Saraswathy (Goddess of learning, intelligence and intellectual wealth)

2. Businessman/Wealthy person --- representing Lakshmi (Goddess of material wealth) 

Now we can understand the financial position of above two scenarios.

Dear Prof. Subhash

True, thank you.

Regards.

I agree with Subhash C. Kundu, I don't have nothing to add.

Dear Marcelo

Thank you for your participation.

Best wishes.

It depends on how we define success . For a researcher , success would mean publication of his research in reputed Journal & academic recognition . For a sportsperson  , winning a medal in his discipline would mean success . For a business man , earning money would be his goal . An Intelligent person who works hard will have his goals well defined & achieving this goal would be his success . They would earn enough to lead a comfortable life . Their hard work would not be a hindrance to their financial success , as that is not their only objective . Every person should pursue their interest based on their talent & not only on the financial aspects .

Dear Shivakumar

In my previous post I indicated that definition of success is associated with personal ambitions and attitudes. You are absolutely right, success means a different goal for persons pursuing different careers. As long as the objectives of success are not associated with money, materails and machines (3 Ms of financial acquisitions) and if a person is contended with his financial earnings (3 Ms) it is fine. May I suggest you to have a look at this thread and contribute your views:

 Thank you for your participation.

Best wishes.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Are_we_masters_of_money_materials_and_machines_or_their_subservient_cousins

Thanks Dr. Roland for your post and views.

Dear sir,

As the definition of financial success differs from person to person. It is really associated with how much you desire. There are many factors responsible for this and I agree with your point that intelligence/hard work are one of them. These are definitely required to achieve the financial success along with some other factors if consedired. 

Thank you Bhavesh for participation and your personal point of view.

Good luck

I agree with you dear Roland that money does not necessarily brings happiness all the time but I have seen people celebrating when they got money or financial success. Money gives purchasing power to people and the power to acquire materialistic things.

Injustice, corruption, relations, bad value system of the society may bring us to the following situation. Assume that we have two persons A and B with similar abilities, intelligence, social status..., but their financial success which would be the consequence of their work is different, even they do work the same job. Success of A always differs from B's success!

Frankly speaking I do not know what to say. I am living in a society and a country where I see several examples every day. People celebrating when they earn/receive/get/steal/rob etc. etc. money and feeling depressed or even getting heart attacks when they lose money.

There is a proverb which says "Dhana moolam idam jagat" Dhana meaning wealth or money, moolam is the basis for idam this jagat world.