Would you rather be the smartest person in the room? Or the dumbest?
I know what I’d choose every single time.
Defining Smart
I am not defining ‘smart’ as specialists or narrowly-focused experts such as photographers, technical developers, personal trainers, accountants or tactical marketers. I mean really, really smart people.
Intelligent, rounded thinkers. Creative people. People that have been there and done it. People respected by almost all of their peers. Educators that can and do help a broad range of people on a broad range of subjects. People that are known for what they know and how they teach what they know by informal means.
These smart people tend to be quite calm, too. Quiet even. Neither showy nor ego-driven.
Just – well – smart.
We Are Who We Mix With
As individuals, we are who we mix with. As we get older we know a lot more people because we’ve been around longer. So we have more people to choose from as we develop our ‘tribe’.
So what tribe have you chosen? The settlers? Or the go-getters?
Throughout my 50s it is my intention to be better tomorrow than I am today. I want to learn. And I want to learn from smart, brave, creative thinkers.
Choose Dumbest
Being the smartest person in the room feels great. But, really, what’s the point?
Choose dumbest.
Turn your ego off.
Shift your paradigm to ‘student’ mode.
And learn.
