Why I want to be the dumbest person in the room, and so should you

I strive to be the dumbest one in the room. I’ve used this admittedly provocative quip for quite a few years now, with the underlying genesis being “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room” taken to an absurd extreme.

It’s the duality of the notion that I love: the self-deprecating, easy to not think too much of it, amusement balanced with an underlying sense of more. That sense of deeper meaning, the truth to it: that if you’re the dumbest person in the room, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re dumb, it simply means the people you’re surrounding yourself with know more than you. It’s a less bland way to say: you should surround yourself with people who can teach you, inspire you, and challenge you to grow in was you haven’t yet known.

But, have you ever actually found yourself in a room surrounded by people who seem to know more about a certain subject than you do? It can feel exceptionally intimidating, especially if you’re expected to engage in any meaningful way. I’m telling you, being the “dumbest” person in the room can actually be an amazing thing! Let me explain in bullet points, because the internet loves lists:

• Learning opportunities abound: When you’re the one with the least knowledge in the room, you have a prime chance to learn and grow! Ask questions, participate in the conversation, and soak up all the wisdom around you. This is a great way to expand your understanding of a subject and add some new skills to your arsenal.
• A chance to be humble: Being in this situation also gives you the chance to be humble and acknowledge that you don’t know everything. And that’s okay! In fact, it’s a really healthy attitude to have. By being open to learning from others, you’re setting yourself up for some serious personal growth.
• Fresh perspectives: When you don’t know much about a subject, you can bring a fresh perspective to the table. Your lack of prior knowledge might just lead to some unique ideas and solutions that others may have missed. Who knows, you could be the one to solve a big problem!
• Networking galore: Being the “dumbest” person in the room can also be a great opportunity to network. People love talking about themselves and showing off how much they know. This is where the lack of knowledge can surface in the form of curiosity, which people typically respond well to. So, be curious and chat with the experts around you, make some connections to sew the seeds for those professional relationships to grow. You never know what kind of resources, insights, and future opportunities these connections might bring! But you can’t fake it; that will come back to bite you. So find those honest places where your curiosity comes naturally.
• Boosting your confidence: Lastly, being the least knowledgeable person in the room can actually give your confidence a boost. As you learn and grow, you’ll feel proud of what you know and be ready to take on even more challenges in the future.

** Updated May 3, 2023: As it turns out, Simon Sinek agrees… I just ran across this video of Simon fromFebruary 2021, during a seated interview, in which he explains the same thing with a great example from his own experiences: https://youtu.be/BkLzo_oNVho

So, next time you find yourself in a room where everyone seems to know more than you, remember that it’s actually a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace it and have fun with it! You never know what kind of amazing things might come out of it. Soon, you’ll find you are the expert in the room… and when you do, you know its time to find a new room once again!