Simple tricks to seem smarter in work meetings

While intelligence is useful and important for most things in life, it is not the same as appearing smart. Whether on Zoom or in person: the way we appear in meetings determines the success. Here are some simple tricks to appear smarter in work meetings.

Appearing smart is a talent that requires a little bluff and a little confidence. You don’t have to know the answer, you just have to appear like you know the answer. This trait is particularly useful in work meetings, whether they take place in a professional office or virtually.

Author Sarah Cooper has written an entire book about this called 100 Tricks to Look Smart in Meetings, which offers helpful tricks for when you’re in the spotlight and don’t feel like the smartest person in the room.

Draw a Venn diagram

Who doesn’t love a Venn diagram? These helpful little charts are cute, easy to understand, and instantly make you seem a lot smarter. They also help you draw conclusions, which in a way is their purpose. This trick works when someone asks you for your opinion, you suggest a Venn diagram, draw it, and just watch as your peers struggle to land on the most appropriate labels.

Pretend to take notes

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Notepads are very useful these days, mostly because they make it clear that you’re actually taking notes and not scrolling through social media. Write down bullet points and keywords. Not only does this trick make you look smart, but it also helps you focus on the task at hand and keeps you from thinking about random things.

Ask the presenter or moderator to go back one slide

For some reason, it seems like you’re the person who’s paying the most attention out of everyone else in the room. It’s also a perfect opportunity to see what’s actually being talked about. Two birds with one stone.

Repeat what the speaker said

Photo by Sarah Pflug via Burst

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Repetition is a useful tool. It helps you remember things and also makes you seem interested. Or that you’re slow, that really depends on the context. For this technique to work, you need to sell the part by repeating the phrase to the speaker as a question or to emphasize that what they just said is important.

Be honest and laugh at yourself

If someone asks you what you’re thinking and you just had a dream about your dog, try to be honest and humorous and explain that you missed the last question or that you’re very stressed about the state of the world. In this moment there is nothing more sincere and understandable than that.

I hope you enjoy these simple tricks to appear smarter in work meetings. Much luck!