12 things you should do when you’re the dumbest person in the room.
Recently a person from my growth marketing course asked me for some career advice. Her question:
What should I consider when looking for a new job?
My answer was this:
If your top priority is learning then find the smartest person (or team) you can and then beg them for a job. If you’re not the dumbest person in the room then you’re doing it wrong.
From there, focus on where you can have the biggest impact. Then promotions, responsibilities and money will follow.
Early on in your career it’s about learning and then the earning will come.
Well, that person got their job. And their next question was: Okay, I am the dumbest person in the room, now what?”
. . .
I never got that one before.
What do you do when you’re the dumbest person in the room?
After some thinking, here is my advice for anyone that finds themselves as the “dumbest person” in the room.
In no particular order:
Advice for the Dumbest Person in the Room
- Be the first one in the room
- Be the most prepared
- Bring the most energy
- Take the best notes
- Be the most engaged
- Be the most focused
- Be the most collaborative
- Be the most accountable for action items
- Be the one the that volunteers to act first
- Understand everyone else’s challenge and help
- Be okay NOT having the answers and embrace asking the right questions
- When you leave the room make sure you’re the last one and take out the trash
What did I miss?
Also related, the idea of mentor hacking when trying to get career advice from your mentor that doesn’t exist.