According to statistics, about 15% of the global population has an IQ above 120 (above-average intelligence). However, being smart doesn’t necessarily mean having an IQ higher than 120, being able to do mental calculations with fractions, or knowing a couple of foreign languages. The key trick of an intelligent person lies in knowing when to speak and when to listen.
It’s no secret that knowledgeable and charismatic individuals easily climb the career ladder, while most colleagues face significant challenges. Winning a reward or a competition for “smart” individuals is a piece of cake. The most important factor is that in most cases, those around you consider such individuals not only interesting, quick-witted, and successful, but also promising in terms of personal relationships as well as in business.
Today, Admigram.com will discuss how you can easily make people believe that you’ve studied countless encyclopedias and graduated with honors from prestigious universities. By learning these tricks, everyone will refer to you as a walking Wikipedia.
How to seem smarter than others
Speak concisely but meaningfully
Close your eyes and imagine the image of someone very wise. Most likely, images from movies, memories, or life situations where people seek advice from a wise person come to mind. It’s that moment when the wise individual, despite a seemingly complex question, provides a simple and brief answer.
In our minds, all wise and intelligent individuals are more reserved and don’t necessarily excel in dialogue with a speed of 300 words per minute. Utilize this subconscious stereotype.
Speak about what you’re certain of
Recall the jokes about blondes. Well, just like in those blonde jokes, any attempts to show off in topics you have absolutely no understanding of will at best only elicit laughter from those around you.
In the worst case, someone who might make significant decisions affecting you might get the impression that you’re just a chatterbox or an idiot. Strive to speak only about what you’re confident in and well-versed. Otherwise, it’s better to stay silent or leave the discussion.
Use well-known quotes
One should not underestimate the importance of universally recognized quotes. For instance, even in such a pointless and banal argument as “Will tomorrow be better than today?” if you counter your opponents with a phrase like, “No! After all, Aristotle once said, ‘Hope is a waking dream,'” your opponents would appear rather foolish if they were to argue with Aristotle himself.
Learn a dozen quotes and use them when the opportunity arises. You can use a couple of quotes in a foreign language and then dramatically reiterate them in your native tongue. Choose quotes from well-known sages, classic writers, prominent historical figures, anyone that all your friends were taught about in school and remember well.
Use sophisticated words
A broad vocabulary signals to others the speaker’s high level of intelligence. Learn a couple of dozen sophisticated words that are relevant in most conversations and use them in your speech when appropriate. For example:
- collywobbles – a rumbling in the stomach caused by hunger;
- suspense – an artistic effect, a prolonged state of anxiety in the viewer while watching a film;
- a posteriori – based on experience or existing facts.
Stay informed to be up to date
To stay up to date with the latest events, you don’t necessarily have to spend hours watching news broadcasts. Just 10-15 minutes a day is enough to familiarize yourself with the news on any news website and be aware of what’s happening in the world.
Always stay aware of current events. This will allow you to be in the know about what’s going on. Watch or read short news digests about politics, economics, arts, science, and sports.
Have an idol in the arts
Recall scenes from movies where they show the cream of society discussing the latest creation of a renowned artist or sculptor. Agree that it looks impressive, at the very least. Choose your favorite author, director, artist, or sculptor.
Study a few fragments from their works. Use this knowledge. For instance, at a corporate picnic, your statement, “We need to head home right now! There are clouds in the sky, just like in Thomas Gainsborough’s paintings!” will be remembered by everyone for a long time.
Be grammatically sound
In speech and writing, adhere to commonly accepted rules of language and grammar. Forget about slang and colloquial language. Remember grammar rules everywhere, even in social media and other forms of modern written communication.
Agree that grammatical errors, for example in a text message from your potential significant other or your supervisor, won’t add any points and might even diminish their significance in your perception of them.
Keep Learning
Strive to engage in self-education constantly, take an interest in the world around you, read books, watch Discovery channel or informative videos on YouTube.
By doing so, you will not only appear smarter than others, but over time, you will undoubtedly become knowledgeable, interesting, and always welcome as a conversationalist in any setting, under any circumstances.
