Nobody likes a know-it-all. But if you're the smartest person in the room, how can you win over others?
The challenge is not shoving your intelligence in everyone's face. If you adopt an air of superiority, they'll reject you.
"A degree of humility is best," said Michael Chad Hoeppner, author of "Don't Say Um." "There are different types of intelligence. The smartest people, when they leave the room, they make everyone in the room feel smarter."
Don't Be A Show-Off If You're The Smartest Person
Self-awareness determines whether you harness your smarts to everyone's benefit — or show off. Rather than seek external validation, build trust and rapport that breeds teamwork
Better yet, stoke others' curiosity. By posing wise questions and listening patiently, you keep learning.
"If you're really smart, you want people to come to you for expertise and guidance," not impose yourself on them, said Maryanne O'Brien, author of "The Elevated Communicator." "You want to bring out the best in others by cultivating their curiosity."
To turn your vast knowledge into an asset — not a liability — radiate low-key confidence. How can you possess outsize smarts without having it work against you?
Fix Inaccuracies At The Right Time
If you hear something that's factually wrong, pause before you jump in. Ask yourself, "Must I speak up now, or can this wait?"
"Don't be quick to correct them," said O'Brien, a Minneapolis-based communication consultant. "No one likes to be corrected, especially in front of others."
Adjust Your Voice As The Smartest Person
If you're exceptionally smart, you may try to translate complexities into plain English. But that risks oversimplifying your message.
"Don't feel you need to dumb down your ideas," said Hoeppner, founder of GK Training, a communication skills training firm. "Instead, change your delivery. Slow your speech a little bit to give others more time to process" your remarks.
Don't talk too fast or you might overwhelm listeners. They may shut down and ignore you.
Run Experiments
Know-it-alls can fall into a predicable vocal rhythm. They give lectures or reel off facts without coming up for air. Rather than lapse into a rat-a-tat speaking style, vary your tone. Example: Rather than list point after point, tell a story or pose a riddle to captivate others.
"Share your ideas with variety," Hoeppner said. "It forces you to be more disciplined. And because different people like to listen to different stuff, you'll appeal to a wider audience."
Draw Succinct Conclusions
If you're erudite, you can rattle off so much information that you leave everyone wondering, "What's the point?"
Instead, apply this two-sentence strategy: Start with a one-sentence rundown of facts, statistics or observations. Then draw a concise conclusion that flows from what you just said.
"You maximize your intellect by saying something really smart followed by something incredibly basic, using monosyllabic words (if possible)," Hoeppner said. "Smash the two together and you'll make others feel smart" as they reach the same conclusion.
Smartest Person: Forge A Bond
Just because you're smarter than others doesn't mean you can't bond with them on a human level.
"Talk about what you have in common," said Catherine Sanderson, a professor of psychology at Amherst College. "Losing a parent, being divorced or fired, having a miscarriage. Look for ways to humanize yourself" by showing empathy and you'll connect with a diverse mix of people.
Admit Your Gaps
Acknowledge what you don't know and seek help from those who excel in skills you lack. That endears you to others.
"Say, 'I'm not up to speed on this,'" said Sanderson, author of "Why We Act." "By doing that, you let others (contribute). It models that we all have strengths."
