Bottom Line Up Front:

A leader’s compulsion to always be the smartest person in every room not only stifles creativity but also undermines the potential of a high-performance environment. Leaders must recognize and change such behaviors. Seek feedback on how others experience you in one-on-one and group settings, and strive to adjust your behaviors, leveraging the ideas below. 

Four Smartest-Person-in-the-Room Behaviors and Ideas to Tame Them

1. The Last Word Habit

Some in leadership roles feel compelled to always have the final word in every conversation or group discussion. This habit forces individuals to suppress their ideas and wait for whatever the boss says. 

Ask for feedback from a trusted advisor on whether you suffer from this behavior. If so, a simple hack involves shifting to asking questions versus offering last-word statements. Consider: “Are you comfortable this is the best decision?” Or “How can I help you bring this to life?” Or, “It sounds like you’ve thought through the issues here. Where do you want to go with the solution?” Then, wrap it with encouragement and a sincere “Thanks.”

2. The Eyes, Arms, and Face Say It All

Some leaders telegraph their Smartest Person persona through their verbal and non-verbal responses to the commentary or ideas of others. From the almost involuntary eye role to a facial expression that suggests to others: “You are using up my valuable oxygen with this stupid idea,” or a posture that looks closed or aggressive, it’s essential to manage how others experience you. 

Ask for feedback from a trusted advisor on how you present yourself in group sessions. Better yet, seek the opportunity to video some sessions. Studying your body language is OK, but examining how people respond to you is better. Their posture, facial expressions, and eye contact speak volumes about their response to you. 

Based on your findings, work to adjust your facial expression and overall body language. In many instances, a more relaxed posture with a warmer facial expression and supporting vocal tone do wonders to portray confidence while putting others at ease. 

3. The Verbal Tic that Derails Discussion

If you’re the leader who regularly says, “I really want your input,” pauses for two seconds, and then launches into yet another monologue, you’re training everyone just to sit there and wait. 

Learn to use silence as a tool. When you ask a question or encourage the group to provide input, shut up and let the silence go until someone (not you) breaks it. Resist the urge to derail their ideas with your input. Focus on listening fiercely. Not only will you learn something about and from your team members, you’ll be encouraging them to share their ideas. 

4. Beware the Poker Game Approach of One-Upsmanship

I’ve observed many leaders who counter a comment from one of their team members by either directly challenging them or offering what they position as a superior idea. This “I’ll see you and raise you” style exhausts everyone around you and once again stifles the free flow of ideas. 

If you’ve received feedback that individuals feel like they’re constantly being one-upped by you, try a hybrid approach to complimenting their ideas and, as needed, tagging on a gentle suggestion. For example, “I really like that idea. As you look to bring it to life, keep your eyes open for the opportunity to…” Or, “Great thoughts. Have any other approaches jumped out for consideration?” 

The Short Story: 

To combat your Smartest-Person-in-the-Room Syndrome, leaders should:

  1. Prioritize asking questions over dictating orders to foster idea development.
  2. Listen harder. Constantly.
  3. Exercise restraint in decision-making, allowing teams to lead their idea’s evolution.
  4. Focus on the merits of ideas rather than their flaws, inspiring a more positive, collaborative atmosphere.

Personal discipline in managing one’s assertive tendencies can transform leadership from authoritative to collaborative, benefiting the entire team.

Art's Signature