The Best Benefits of Not Being the Smartest Person in the Room
Why you’re in the wrong room if you are the smartest person in it, the benefits and how to feel confident not being the smartest person in the room, and how to get out of one room and into another.
Dear Spirited Earthling,
Thousands of years ago, Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” This idea has been reworded and rephrased by numerous people since Confucius. So why has this phrase lived on for so long? And why is it as pertinent today as it was so long ago?
Why You’re in the Wrong Room if You Are the Smartest Person in It
It may seem like an enviable position to be the smartest person in a room, but the truth is your potential for learning and growth declines.
When you’re the smartest person in the room, you aren’t as often exposed to and challenged with many new ideas, perspectives, and innovations. You’re less likely to try new things or try the same things differently. You’re more likely to make mistakes that could have been avoided if you were learning from others’ experiences.
It can also become harder to identify areas of improvement, skills you want to develop, and understand the type of leader and team member you want to become in your chosen career or personal life
The Best Benefits of Not Being the Smartest Person in the Room
The benefits of being in a room with people smarter than you are:
Great learning opportunities: There is always something to learn from others with different knowledge, experiences, perspectives and ideas than you. You are confronted with things you can improve on, and you are shown skills you want to develop.
Better chance of collaboration: You are more likely to collaborate and work together to achieve a goal. Collaboration leads to more creative ideas and solutions, and ultimately better outcomes.
Less pressure to perform: You do not need to have every answer, nor do you need to have ideas on every topic. What you can focus on, is what you do know. Your experiences and perspectives can be valuable to the discussion without needing to be defining points. When you are able to focus on learning and growing, instead of performing, your interactions and experiences in the room can be more enjoyable and relaxing. Less pressure means less expectation and anxiety and a better environment to learn in.
Humble reminder: Your sense of humility is greater because you are reminded that there is always more to learn. You will continue on your personal growth journey and say no to complacency.
Encourages personal growth: You are challenging yourself to improve and get out of your comfort zone. You are learning, thinking, and networking.
How to feel confident not being the smartest person in the room
It is normal to feel insecure or intimidated by those smarter than you. You are putting yourself in an uncomfortable position, but you will soon get used to it and love it.
Embrace your position: You are in a fortunate position to be able to learn from others smarter than you and be guided by mentors. You can stand in your personal power while learning. Look at your position with gratitude, not ego. Feel inspired, not jealous or inadequate.
Contribute what you can: Sometimes to get to the end you have to go back to the beginning, and being reminded of the beginning can be beneficial. Your life experiences may be different to the individuals in the room, but that can bring a different insight or update an old way of thinking. Being a soundboard for new ideas and troubleshooting outcomes can be as valuable as the idea itself. You have a voice that should be heard.
Ask questions: You are in the room to learn, so ask questions when you don’t understand or want to look at something from a different perspective. Asking questions shows you are interested and engaged, and this can lead to stimulating conversations.
Be yourself: You are who you are, and you know what you know, and there is a place for you. Trying to be someone you’re not will make you feel more insecure. Accepting yourself and your position allows you to be confident in your abilities, which encourages learning and growth.
Don’t compare yourself: Some individuals in the room may have been there a while to have gained the knowledge they possess. Others may have just entered it. And some may be too scared to move into a different room. You aren’t going to compare the knowledge of a 5-year-old to a 15-year-old, or the experience of someone entering the workplace to someone leaving it. So why would you do that to yourself? You don’t know the journey of others, but you know your own – concentrate on yours.
How to Get Out of One Room and Into Another
When you’re ready to move into new rooms, start investing in yourself and grow outside your comfort zone:
Keep learning: Consume educational content (books, articles, documentaries). Take classes and seminars that interest you personally and professionally.
Join associations and groups: Joining organisations in your field provides you with opportunities to connect with other professionals. You can attend their conferences and events to network and learn. As a new parent, it is beneficial to be surrounded by parents with more experience who can advise and comfort you.
Seek mentors: Mentors can provide valuable guidance, insight and support. They can also help you connect with other people to grow with and learn from. This mentor could be a senior in the company, a life coach, or a spiritual teacher.
Believe in yourself: Give yourself a chance to follow your dreams, grow into the person you want to become and live a full life.
Have Friends or Communities with Diverse Interests
Having friends who studied different things, are in different careers and professions, with different interests and hobbies is a true blessing. Communities of different thinkers encourage growth and tolerance. Interacting with people with diverse interests and knowledge allows for:
Opportunities to learn: You will never be the smartest person in the room (except for one topic) and so your potential to continually learn is high. New and different expertise and ways of thinking can be shared with you.
Exposed to new ideas: Being exposed to different expertise, ideas, perspectives, and knowledge broadens your thinking and your understanding of the world becomes more wholesome.
Sparks creativity: With new ideas and access to different expertise, you may be inspired to try new things and explore different areas and interests. Your creativity can be stimulated, and you’ll be able to think more out of the box.
Improved problem-solving: Your access to different ways of thinking means you have access to a wider range of problem-solving approaches.
Broader social network: Friends with different friend groups can help you meet new people and expand your social network.
In addition to these benefits, having friends with diverse interests and knowledge backgrounds means you have the chance to surround yourself with different types of ‘smart’ and intelligence.
Different Types of ‘Smart’
Of course, the smartest person can mean the most academic person in the room. Someone who can be described as ‘book-smart’. Book-smart individuals are knowledgeable in a range of subjects because they have strong academic backgrounds, good studying skills, and perform well in standardised tests.
In other rooms, the smartest person may be the individual who has learned from life. Someone who can be described as ‘street-smart.’ While academics are not their strongest suit, they have learned through life experiences, observations and interactions with people. Street-smart individuals can easily pick up on and read social cues, know how to deal with different people, and make wise decisions in various circumstances.
Naturally, these types of ‘smart’ are not mutually exclusive. These are merely two common descriptors to distinguish between types of ‘smart’ or intelligence.
Different Types of Intelligence
Most commonly, intelligence is based on perceived or tested IQ (intelligence quotient) – think book-smart. But there are other types of intelligence that are equally relevant:
Emotional intelligence: Individuals with good EQ manage and understand their emotions, as well as the emotions of others.
Social intelligence: Individuals with the ability to understand social norms and more easily navigate and communicate in social situations and relationships – think street-smart.
You may know people who learn languages quicker than most (linguistic intelligence), others who can play and create and perform musically (musical intelligence), individuals who have impressive coordination and control of their body (physical intelligence), and some who think differently and are innovative (creative intelligence).
Why Being a Lifelong Learner is a Worthy Goal
So why is that quote by Confucius still so popular? Because being a lifelong learner keeps you curious and open to new ideas and different perspectives, leading to happiness and success in your personal and professional life. You may live with more purpose in life. You are able to expand your knowledge and skills. Your confidence improves as your competence does. The world is constantly evolving, and being a lifelong learner helps you keep up with an ever-changing world. Learning new things is good for your brain’s health and cognitive functioning.
By being in a room with people smarter than you, you are able to learn from their expertise and experiences. You further your knowledge and also broaden your understanding of people and the world. By not being the smartest person in the room, you can grow into a well-rounded person.
Spirited Earthling is more than just a blog – it's a gathering place for kindred spirits drawn by an interest in self-discovery, the appeal of self-care, and a desire for a deeper connection to the world. Written and created for curious minds and spiritual hearts seeking meaning in everyday life, this blog aims to help you curate your wholesome personal growth with free weekly ideas and affordable resources for sale.
As you navigate your personal growth journey using the words and ideas shared here, consider sharing this blog with someone looking for inspiration or motivation on their own journey. We are all spirited earthlings, and can lift each other together with mindful, connected living.
Thank you for being part of this community.
Best wishes, warmest regards
Jordan
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