6 ways to look smarter
DESCRIPTION
The real value of this PPS is becoming aware of how your actions and conversation help shape people’s perception.TRANSCRIPT
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