There are many issues that we face at work, but amongst the least talked about is the appearance of being smart. We all know someone at the office who looks almost too good to be considered smart at first glance, or someone with the typical “nerd” look that in fact is a lot less intelligent than his Steve Urkel counterpart. So in order to balance your actual intelligence with you perceived intelligence, NEEM Magazine has developed this tips:
1) Wear glasses.
From the sexy librarian to our intellectual heroes, Jean-Paul Sartre, Noam Chomsky, Elton John. They all wear glasses. Hint.
2) Massage your temples.
You’ve seen Clark Kent do it. And everyone thinks he’s smart. So before you ask or answer a question, massage your temples for the dramatic flair. Everyone will pause and pay more attention to what you have to say. And even for people that aren’t listening to what you are saying… it gives the impression that, wow – that person must be thinking/working very hard. A huge plus at the office!
3) Sit with one leg crossed over the other.
Sitting with one leg crossed over the other is one of the intelligent community’s worst kept secrets. Anyone who has ever attended a family party can recall seeing at least one of their uncles sitting this way.
4) Begin conversations with a famous quote.
Ever notice how much smarter someone sounds just because they can pull a quote out of thin air. Learn from these people. It creates an instant “wow” factor and you are less likely to be questioned on even a dumb answer. Now, don’t quote Kiss or Aerosmith. Try quoting Ben Franklin or someone with a fancy name like François de la Rochefoucauld.
5) Coffee Love, Stop With the Red Bull.
Red bull at work is akin to college. When you are at work, you can’t meet the Partner over a Redbull or another energy drink. But – you can meet them over a cup of coffee. So learn about coffee — not Starbucks — and local coffee shops. Know what to recommend, know the tastes. Love the tastes.
– Aram Jawad, NEEM Magazine Contributing Writer
