This question presents a challenge similar to the question, “Which wheels on a car are more important: the front or the back?” Both wheels are necessary if the car is to move. Similarly, a certain level of intelligence combined with a certain level of hard work is necessary for success in business, academe or the professions.
Unless you’re Forrest Gump, average or higher than average intelligence is usually required for success, although we see some exceptions in fields requiring special skills such as in professional sports. In the case of athletics or the arts, special skill combined with hard work is more important than intelligence for success.
In theoretical physics, mathematics, computer science, biology, engineering, a high level of both intelligence and hard work are generally required to achieve success. Similarly the top investment managers, called “quants” require a high level of intelligence and hard work to interpret market trends through data analysis.
As my old Latin teacher used to say, “If you have intelligence and a strong work ethic, you have an unbeatable combination.”
