Written by: Jane Parmel, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”
Maybe Confucius, Lorne Michaels, or Marissa Mayer, or any of 100 other people have been credited with coming up with this quote. Bottom line, it is true – you should never be the smartest person in any room. This is not a tug-of-war between “being” and “thinking”. Ego is the biggest detriment to leaders; where they believe they can be right, it can make them 100% wrong.
There is also the question of your perception. If you are the smartest person in the room, who determines that? And can you be simply inflating your self-beliefs? Meaning, what if you only believe that you are the smartest person in the room, but you are not? You might find yourself dismissing other’s ideas to get the results you want. People who believe they are more intelligent than others tend to struggle with delegation because they cannot let go – they believe that no one can do a job as well as they can
Lifelong learning is key to growth both personally and in business. When you intentionally surround yourself with smarter than you, you admit that you do not know everything. You are willing to let others share, teach, and fill in the gaps where you might have them. If you are used to being a “success,” a high achiever, giving someone the opportunity to boost or compliment what you do not know can only help to increase the level at which others perceive you.
A high level of confidence to surround yourself with a team of people who are smarter than you. You must be secure in who you are and, in your position, as the leader. Putting the vision and mission of the organization at the forefront is crucial to the success of any venture. As a leader, you must be confident yet open, in charge, but willing to learn.
Communication is key to your success when you decide to accept the knowledge of others. They can fulfill their role when they have been told what is needed and what they are expected to contribute. Poor communicators talk more than they listen. They have an insatiable need to be right; often unwilling to learn, they also tend to dismiss other’s points of view and have low levels of emotional intelligence. This can raise stress levels amongst team members that can be very detrimental to completing a project. Leaders who can convey an inspirational vision will inspire and engage others – people will want to be part of a powerful group.
When you have those “smart” team members around you, you will see higher levels of dedication and drive, and you should know how to manage this to the advantage of the whole. “Smart” team members will continually go above and beyond, dig deeper into their field, and strive to become “experts in their field.”
Here are five points to remember when encouraging learning in your team:
If it is positive and leading to growth, great. If it is not, you need to communicate that. Even go as far as telling team members that their attitude negatively affects their career.
Encourage learning, exploring, taking on responsibility.
Encourage self-care. Time for themselves is the most healing and can provide a space where growth can take place.
Challenge those members of your team that are indeed “intelligent.” Mentally, emotionally, or socially – so that they do not get bored. Remember not to micro-manage – keep your wanting to do so at bay.
Be empathetic! Understand that different people come from other places, literally and figuratively. Different roads traveled; different outcomes experienced – be mindful that everyone benefits when an understanding heart also has an ear.
Jane Parmel, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jane Parmel, the creator of "The Profit Project," helps women to powerfully transform their businesses by up-leveling their money mindset, signature system, and pricing to recognize their value and create a more profitable business through authentic marketing and efficient operations. She makes your bottom line the high point of your business! Jane is also the NY Global Business Connector for the Women Speakers Association, hosting events connecting women with resources to amplify their role as a “Phenomenal Message Maker” – clarifying their message, increasing their visibility, and growing their audience.
