Psychology says people who sit at the last bench are not just mischievous backbenchers, they often do better than class toppers

Think back to your school days. Usually, the class is divided into two worlds. In the front row, you have the 'toppers', the students who had their notebooks ready before even the class started, made notes meticulously, and hung on every word the teacher said.

Then, there are the backbenchers.

If you are or were a backbencher, you probably spent your time whispering, passing notes, or staring out the window. You were likely told you were lazy or unfocused or that you'd never 'get ahead' because you were not paying attention in the classroom.

But years later, something strange often happened. Often, the ones sitting in the back row of a classroom end up running a company, while hiring or having class toppers report to them in their careers.

Even the former President of India, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, once said, "The best brains of the nation may be found on the last benches of a classroom," changing the stereotyping of backbenchers. He believed that many 'backbenchers' often think differently. In this article, we will decode the psychology of backbenchers.

You think you sit at the last bench of a classroom because you are not interested in the lesson. But psychology says...

Backbenchers often are highly emotionally intelligent (EQ) people. While the toppers in the front row are learning facts, backbenchers are learning people. You are not just a notorious backbencher, you are observing social cues, power dynamics, and human behviour.

People who sit in the front row, their vision is limited to the teacher and the board. They have a tunnel vision. But a backbencher, behold, you have a panoramic view. You see everything. You see the teacher. You see who is doing what behind their desk. You see who is sleeping, who is cheating, who is eating. You see how the 'system' of a classroom works.

As a backbencher, you have independent thinking, an affinity for unconventional learning and career paths, and a 'street smart' attitude. These qualities make you a great leader or entrepreneur later in life. Your ability to read a room and social cues allows you to excel in leadership roles. 

Psychology says backbenchers have a low need for external validation

While the ones sitting the front row constantly seek approval and validation from their teachers. As a backbencher, do you feel that need? The answer probably will be a NO. You are comfortable in your own skin. You, in fact, challenge the status quo.

You value indenpendence and risk-taking. You do not conform to labels. You are motivated by your internal drive and dreams. You are not chasing grades. 

You also have a selective attention which allows you to work on topics of your interest. You are able to compartmentalise your time and energy efficiently while tuning out irrelevant or monotonous activities.

In a nutshell, your backbencher personality reveals you are a creative thinker, independent, pragmatic, natural leader. Psychology says you have a fun-loving, confident, socially apt, innovative, risk-taking personality. 

Some of the famous backbenchers include names like Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mack Zukcerberg, Anand Mahindra, and many.

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