How Smart Are You?

Have you ever met someone who needed to convince you of how smart they are?

There's one thing you need to know, before you turn your intelligence into a liability.

One of the fastest ways to slow down a conversation is to waste your time trying to prove your expertise.  Why?  Because of what is implied when you work hard to prove that you are smart.

"It's smarter to be lucky                                     than it's lucky to be smart."                                                          - King Charlemagne in Pippin

Don't get me wrong.  Your intelligence may be an important part of your super-powers.  If you are a subject matter expert, your expertise is a vital part of your job description.  But creating real value means going beyond just your job description.  And focusing on what matters most, not just on what you know.

Do you find that impressing people with your intellect is a powerful tool, in business?

Or does that make people think that you are just a tool?

There's something more important than the sum of your knowledge.  Beyond your academic background, credentials or experience, lies the realm of collaboration, engagement and effective communication.  

If you know how to be smart about it.

The more you focus on proving your intelligence, the more you call into question the very thing that you wish to prove.  

It's like telling a child, "Don't look in the refrigerator!  There's a fresh cake in there and you better not lick the icing."  Suddenly, that child is obsessed with popping that door and finding out if it's chocolate or vanilla.  Aren't you glad you brought up the refrigerator thing? 

You don't need to prove the law of gravity, or motion, or make people believe that the night follows the day.  We easily accept these facts.  

What changes if you accept the fact that you are an intelligent human being with something unique to offer (not just something to prove)?

Do you accept your expertise as a fact?  Or do you want to open it up for some debate?  Should we take a peek and try the icing on the cake...or is there something more important that we could discuss?

For that person that has something to prove, my question is: Why?  I suspect it's because you don't believe in what you are saying, or doing. Or maybe you just don't know where to focus. (Hint: it's not in the mirror).

I wonder what would change for you if you plugged in this thought: the people around you think that you are credible, intelligent and capable.  They respect you, and they respect your intelligence.

Perhaps you could have a more intelligent conversation, with just that one little thought.  Because the people around you need something more than an explanation of your skills - they need an actual demonstration.

Now you may say that this "one little thought" is simply a fairy tale.  Because the people around you think that you are sneaky, stupid and generally a wide-awake nightmare. 

But, is that really realistic?  Is that true...are you a wide-awake nightmare?  If so, my voodoo may not help you.  The only thing you can demonstrate is how to land in the ditch.  

However, if you have skills that others are missing because you think that whoever is smartest wins, you might want to think that through one more time. 

There's one question that you have to answer, and it's not found on any test.  The question is deceptively simple, and it's the one that's top of mind for the people around you, right now.  

Be sure to check out the video above to learn what it is.  And ask yourself if you've got a powerful answer.  

Because whoever tells the best story wins.

For more posts on effective communication, check out:

• How to Win the Rice Business Plan Competition
• How to Land on Shark Tank
• BulletProof Branding: What Does Luxury Mean to You?

And be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel, westfallonline

About the Author:

Chris Westfall has created multi-million dollar revenues on four continents, published seven books, created over 200 YouTube videos, and appeared on CNN, ABC NEWS and in USNEWS and WORLD REPORT, among other media outlets. He's helped his clients to land on Shark Tank, Dragon's Den and also Shark Tank - Australia.  He's also coached the winners of the Intel Global Capital Conference and the Harvard Executive MBA Pitch Competition.  To find out more about his keynotes, workshops and business coaching, check out his website: https://westfallonline.com