Part of the incongruity here is that not all types of intelligences are values equally.

Also, due to certain biases, intelligence is subconsciously and purposefully unlinked to certain jobs or activities regardless of whether or not they tske intelligence to acquire/perform/complete.

Then you've got the sad fact that intelligence is tied to more primitive behaviors. It becomes a substitute for things like dominance displays, a means to ostracize, a way to challenge for position, a way to rebuff a perceived underlying, etc.
All of which will be performed, performed upon, and perceived differently based on who you are in society and who you think others are.

It's no small wonder that it seems nearly impossible to figure out. It is.