I want to talk about something I’ve seen again and again — five mistakes that smart people commonly make.
Now, you might be thinking, “Well, what exactly qualifies someone as smart?”
Here’s my take: we’re all smart in certain areas of life. Maybe it’s your work skills, a specific hobby, or just that one topic you know way more about than most people. So yes — I’m talking to you! Because even though you’re smart in your own right, you might be making a few of these common mistakes that can actually hold you back.
Let’s uncover them together.
1. Speaking Too Soon
When smart people are in a group discussion or a meeting about something they know well, they often want to share their knowledge right away. It feels natural — you know the topic, so why not contribute?
But here’s the catch: when others know you’re the expert, they often defer to you. If you speak up too early, people might hold back their own ideas or opinions, assuming yours carry more weight.
That means your quick contribution might unintentionally shut down valuable perspectives.
The fix:
Be slow to speak. Let others go first and share their thoughts. Your words already carry weight — so use them strategically. Listen first, then speak. You’ll encourage more collaboration and better discussions.
2. Using Jargon That Others Don’t Understand
Smart people sometimes use words or terminology that the average person doesn’t recognize. This can happen for two reasons:
- They’re (consciously or not) trying to sound impressive.
- They use those terms so often in their field that they forget others might not know them.
Either way, it causes a disconnect. Most people won’t stop you and say, “I don’t know what that means.” Instead, they’ll just nod — and mentally check out.
The fix:
Be aware of your “industry language.” When in doubt, simplify. If you’re not sure whether someone knows a term, explain it briefly or use more relatable words. True communication isn’t about showing how much you know — it’s about making sure others understand you.
(Quick story: I once worked with someone in healthcare who was explaining her job to someone in a completely different field. She used all this medical jargon, and I could see the other person had no idea what she meant. When I translated, she realized, “Oh, right — not everyone speaks this language!”)
3. Listening to Respond, Not to Understand
Smart people’s minds move fast. When someone’s talking, they often start forming their response before the other person even finishes. Sometimes they even interrupt — not out of rudeness, but because they think they already know where the conversation is going.
But this creates a huge communication gap. The other person walks away feeling unheard, unseen, or dismissed.
The fix:
Listen all the way through before responding. Instead of preparing your next sentence, focus on really understanding what the person is trying to say. You’ll connect more deeply and often learn something new — even about topics you think you already know inside out.
4. Wearing a “Thinking Face” That Looks Unapproachable
Here’s a subtle one: when smart people are deep in thought, they often have a serious, concentrated expression — what I call the thinking face.
The problem? Others can misread it as “Don’t talk to me” or “I’m not interested in connecting.” It’s not intentional, but it can create distance between you and others.
The fix:
Be mindful of your facial expressions. If you tend to look serious while thinking, consciously soften your expression when interacting with people. A simple smile or more open posture can make you appear much more approachable and warm.
(I talk more about this in my video about how your expression can prevent you from connecting — check it out if that resonates.)
5. Correcting Others Too Much
Finally, smart people often feel the need to correct others — especially when they’re wrong in an area the smart person knows well. While accuracy matters, constantly correcting others can come across as condescending or nitpicky, and it can damage relationships.
The fix:
Ask yourself: Does this correction really matter?
If it won’t impact the outcome, the person’s reputation, or anyone else, you can probably let it go.
For example, if someone sends you an email with a small typo, there’s no need to correct it if it’s just between you. But if that same email is going out to a group or clients, that’s a time when your feedback is helpful and appreciated.
Knowing when to speak up — and when to let it slide — is a sign of emotional intelligence as much as intellectual intelligence.
Final Thoughts
Being smart is a wonderful thing — but how you use that intelligence determines how others experience you.
If you recognize yourself in any of these five mistakes, you’re not alone. We all fall into them sometimes. The key is awareness — and a willingness to adjust.
And if you know another “smart person” who could benefit from this, share this post with them!