Click to listen to the audio version of this Daily Paradox.

Smoking and promiscuity have much in common. Both deliver instant gratification of certain senses. Both are highly addictive. Both have been judged by society to be a matter of personal choice until others are involved. Both can have dangerous results for those engaging in them. Both are legal with others only when they are statutorily ‘grown up’ and fully consent. Those indulging in either outside the law can have their lives devastated.

There is increasing evidence to support the theory that people of high intelligence and whose jobs and lives are under continuous and significant stress – for whatever reasons – may be subject to greater pressure to indulge in either of these pleasurable but undesirable activities. Others with less pressure may find control easier. As people we can only judge behaviour not motive; as members of society we must judge people both for the protection of our way of life and in order to make decisions about the future roles of those whose behaviour we deplore.

So we have a circular situation. Someone highly intelligent is put into a position of immense pressure affecting the world’s currencies and therefore its whole future. The pressure itself may lead to what to the rest of us is bizarre behaviour. The behaviour implies a lack of control and judgement that potentially disqualifies the person from holding the office – but maybe it was holding the office that precipitated the behaviour in the first place.

It is reasonable to conclude that offices of high pressure are not suitable for those who crack under the strain. Forecasting who is likely to and who is not is a tricky business as anyone who has been on suicide watch can attest. The noisy and demonstrative seldom commit the act; the quiet sadly sometimes do.

We could make a better job of choosing our leaders if we paid attention to their eligibility as role models. A position with authority of any kind over others demands behaviour that is not only legal but that will stand up to public scrutiny. Several world leaders have recently demonstrated – in one case is alleged to have demonstrated -a failure to understand this requirement.

When people come to us for help with their ability to handle others we start by helping them to handle themselves. It is only when they have conquered this that they can hope to be the model who can teach by example, the most effective way of imparting knowledge and wisdom.

Those who cannot master reasonable self-control should avoid high office and we should not be a party to making them bear stress they cannot cope with.