Ways to Look

Smarter6

In life, many opportunities are tied to what other people think of you. If the people around you think you are

smart, you are more likely to get asked to participate in projects that will enhance your career. If people think you are dumb, you’ll probably be passed over. Looking

smart is just as important as being smart.

Ask More Questions

Since people consider themselves smart, asking questions about their areas of expertise will make them think you are smart as well.

Asking intelligent questions can showcase your intelligence much more effectively

than showing everyone how much you know. There are several reasons for this. The first reason is that most truly intelligent people are extremely teachable–that is how they became so intelligent. If you are trying to act smart without exhibiting teachable

behavior people will think you are a fake. The second reason asking questions is effective is because almost everyone thinks of themselves as smart. By asking questions you give them a chance to showcase their

knowledge–something most everyone loves to do. Since they consider themselves to be intelligent and you are asking questions about the areas where they consider

themselves to be experts, you must be intelligent as well–after all you are interested in the things that they consider to be important.

Be the Last to Speak

Restating the best ideas of a conversation will make you look smarter.

Don’t be quick to talk. If a matter is being discussed let others speak first. Taking the extra time to refine your thoughts can

make a big difference in how you are perceived. If you have the final word and simply summarize the good points made by

everyone else, people will remember your contribution more than the people who really came up with the idea. I’m not

suggesting that you steal others ideas, but restating the best ideas (even when giving others credit) will make you look smarter.

Cite Your Sources

Citing your sources makes you appear more credible and gives you a way out.

Random information seems suspect. Referencing your source can be very valuable in how you are perceived. I’ve been around some

people who act like they are an expert on everything. After a while they start to appear like a know-it-all, and people suspect that they

are just making things up. Citing your sources can be as easy as saying “I read a newspaper article that said…” or “If I remember the paper correctly, some

scientists say…”. Citing your sources will make you appear more credible, humble, and

it gives you a way out if you are wrong.

Enjoy the Arts

Diverse cultural experiences are often mistaken for intelligence.

In a culture where most people’s entertainment consists of movies and television, you can set yourself apart by going to the

ballet, opera, museums, etc. Diverse cultural experiences are often mistaken for intelligence.

As long as you aren’t trying to flaunt your experience it can make you appear smarter.

Take a Contrary View

A well reasoned contrary position shows you are capable of independent thought.

This has to be done delicately. Simply disagreeing with everyone around you will not help. However, having a well reasoned

position that is different than others shows you are capable of independent thought. You must be careful not to insult the people. The opinion that is contrary to most people’s views

provides an excellent starting point for a conversation , as long as you are not presenting your ideas in an arrogant manner, the

conversation has a reasonable chance of helping establish you as someone willing to think differently than the average person.

Carry Reading Material

Make sure people associate you with sources of information that they consider intelligent.

It is better if you actually read the material, but since we started with the assumption that you are smart we can probably also

assume that you regularly read “smart” things. You are simply managing perceptions and trying to make sure

people associate you with sources of information that they think are intelligent.

And there you have it. Six things you can do that will make you appear smarter. If you are a total idiot these

tips probably won’t help you. If you are reasonably smart they may help people take a bit more notice of your intelligence. The real value of this list is becoming aware of how your actions and

conversation help shape people’s perception.

Thank You