Smartest in the Room Syndrome

I posted an article to my private email list last month and it garnered a bit of conversation. It feels important to bring it to a larger audience.

With the amount of polarization in the world, I wonder if the idea of humble leadership is something worth exploring further. It goes against the warrior leadership that is so responsible for much entrepreneurial success. But after the first big push of growth, humility allows for others to take the reigns and grow the business even more. All this without the first push of effort exerted as an early stage entrepreneur. When leadership stays in the "push" phase of growth, there is a habit of becoming a perpetual answer person - and a secret pride in being the smartest person in the room.

The text of the original newsletter musing is below. Curious your thoughts? Would you be willing to share in the comments? Where were you "the smartest" and what was the impact? Where were you being led by the "smart one" with all of the answers and what was the impact? Any other thoughts are welcome.

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I was talking with a client recently about a fatal flaw in leadership. You are the positional leader (in other words, you have the title), you are regarded by others as the smartest in the room, and you believe it.

Do you know anyone like this? Are you like this - even unintentionally?

Let's look at the impact of Smartest in the Room Syndrome:

1. Free flow of ideas are limited.
2. People will rely on this leader for all of the decisions.
3. One person making decisions is fatiguing.
4. Accountability is compromised.
5. It's lonely.
6. It's annoying.....

There is also an aspect of immature leadership at play. The one who "knows it all" lives in a bubble of certainty. At the highest swing of the pendulum, they live by the axiom, "my way or the highway". At the other side, they will provide an answer or solution with very little thought but a high degree of "right".

Let's grow up in our leadership together. This is where curiosity becomes the secret sauce. Those of us who can succumb to "smartest in the room" syndrome must break free of providing the answer. Instead, using the curious question, help others to their answers, breakthroughs, and solutions.

Instead of, "this is the way to do it", try, "how would you solve this?".

Instead of, "my decision", try, "this is what I'd like to do, and I would like to know what you think or feel about that".

Be willing to challenge your automatic reflex to provide the solution, answer, or decision.

I see this in many entrepreneurs who are conditioned to being everything in their company. There is reluctance to, as my EOS friends define it, "let go of the vine". This includes activities and answers!

Employ the curious question. Invite a mistake or two. Brainstorm and collaborate for solutions. Develop someone to stand next to you in skill and wisdom.

Know that your humility as a leader allows you to share the wisdom space with others. A heavy backpack is lifted from your shoulders. It's more rewarding - and even fun - to share the accountability and activity with others!

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