The Least Intelligent In The Room
I attend geopolitics talks at the University of Cambridge. I feel discomfort beforehand, surrounded by people far more intelligent than I am. But one of my policies to push myself and grow is to seek out discomfort and so I push myself to attend. And I enjoy them, obviously.
One of the benefits of these talks is that I’m surrounded by some of the most intelligent minds in geopolitics. Guest speakers are authors, researchers with PhDs from all over the world, and podcast hosts. True experts in their fields. If I remember even one ounce of wisdom that these people provide, then I’m doing better than those who don’t push themselves by putting themselves in situations where they can grow the most.
We grow and learn through experience. Specifically, mistakes that we make as we experience life. This is the importance of mentors. They provide frameworks and principles to not make mistakes they have made in the past. Through our own experiences we learn from mistakes but having mentors who have experienced more can allow us to learn from mistakes and experiences we haven’t even made ourselves.
We can ask questions, and monitor their processes, their ideas, and their thoughts. Over time, our own confidence grows. Eventually, we can start to create our own ideas, thoughts, and viewpoints. Sometimes this might even challenge the opinions of our mentors. But this back-and-forth dynamic can push everyone to higher levels.
When any individual or group commits to a task, it takes so much effort to “make it big”, whatever that really means. Once you reach this point, nobody sees the years of effort, trials, and struggles that got you to where you are. All those we look up to in life have been through this. The times they felt demotivated. The times they wanted to give in completely. The times they pushed through and did the work, even if they know it wasn’t their best. This is why we can learn so much more by being the least intelligent in the room. It's not only knowledge that they can pass on, but general strategies for life. The fact that these people are examples of those who worked so hard to make it, where they are, is also motivating. Of course, there are elements of luck to achieving the life you want, but hard work is a much larger contributor to the life direction you want.
It’s Not What We Know, But Who We Know
Another element of being the least intelligent in the room is we are exposed to many people. It can enable us to connect with like-minded individuals.
Through building trust within these circles, we often find more opportunities present themselves to us. This doesn’t only mean job opportunities. This could be collaboration on a meaningful project, or getting your foot in the door to rooms where you can meet more exciting, knowledgeable people. Any of these people could provide you with opportunities you’ve always wanted.
Adaptation to Change
Change is inevitable in all walks of life. So how do the best people remain the best at what they do?
First of all, they often don’t. Everyone has their time in the sun before driving off into the sunset. So live in the present and enjoy it as it happens. But those who perform at the highest level for the longest learn from their mistakes. They are quick to pivot, adapt, and change. One of the most important points is to maintain a close relationship with innovation. Methods can become more efficient through solving problems. That’s how all innovation works. New creations are solving a previous problem or making a current piece of technology more efficient. Any problem is an opportunity, not an obstacle.
Finally, being involved within networks in the field or industry allows back-and-forth discussion. In this case, you’re more likely to catch any new developments.
Keep Your Own Ego Limited
You are never the complete package. There’s a reason the highest achieving people are the best in any aspect of life. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest football players of all time because they want to be better than yesterday's versions of themselves.
The ego is the feeling of self-importance. Too much and you damage your personal relationships, don’t want to develop, and grow, and don’t consider alternative viewpoints when making decisions. You settle in life.
Some ego is good. Successful people have to have the confidence to believe in themselves, and the motivation to keep being the hardest worker in the room. There is always someone more intelligent than you. Always someone doing better than you. If you’re doing things right, open the door into the room where you’re the least intelligent. Or least successful in whatever interests you. The deep end is often the fastest place to learn. To see if you’ll sink or swim. Challenge yourself by seeking out discomfort and eventually, you’ll swim.