wellness, work, tips A man working at an office, Image Pexels
If you're smart, you act stupid? Such a strategy can protect you from unpleasant tasks and work overload at work, but it doesn't exactly take your career to the next level: If you're not trusted to do much, you'll probably have more peace and quiet in your day-to-day life, but you'll have a hard time getting promoted in your job.
And if the company does cut jobs, it usually doesn't affect the top performers, but others.
There are many advantages to appearing intelligent at work: for example, it gives you a stronger position in salary negotiations.
If you are perceived as competent and reliable, you also have a better chance of receiving exciting projects or being recommended for a promotion.
People who are considered intelligent often have more freedom in their jobs and are more highly valued. It is therefore important not to hide your own intelligence at work.
If you want to go one step further, you can pay attention to five things to appear even more intelligent:
What was the meeting about again? Anyway, first have a coffee and let your thoughts wander to your last vacation... Not a good idea: Even if others don't immediately notice that you are somewhere else entirely inside, your behavior doesn't exactly make you seem clever.
It makes more sense to do research beforehand and prepare well for meetings and presentations. If you have received documents beforehand, get an overview.
In particular, find out about all the relevant figures and background information so that you can join in the discussion and put forward arguments. This will ensure that others remember you.
Talk a lot, say nothing: Nobody at work likes people who don't get to the point and go around in endless loops without ever coming to an end. If you then use a lot of foreign words - and possibly with the wrong meaning - you don't come across as particularly intelligent.
It is better to formulate your own thoughts clearly and understandably. Limit yourself to what is important and relevant and get to the core.
You should avoid using foreign words unless they are necessary technical terms in your field: someone who is really intelligent is characterized by the fact that they can convey difficult and complex topics in a simple and understandable way.
And: if you use foreign words, at least make sure you know the correct meaning, otherwise it will be embarrassing.
By the way: It's not just about speaking, but also about letting others have their say: Those who actively listen appear more competent. Let others finish speaking and ask questions.
This not only shows your interest, but also signals that you are thinking critically with well-thought-out questions.
Without lifelong learning, you can hardly do anything in your job. Of course, you can wait until your superiors pressure you to take further training. But that doesn't exactly make you seem motivated or interested.
But it is smarter to become active yourself and set your own priorities: Do you know the most important developments and trends in your field?
Keep yourself up to date by exchanging ideas with others, attending training courses or reading specialist literature, podcasts and blogs on the most important topics.
What are you particularly good at? What do you find most difficult? If you know yourself well and can realistically assess your abilities, it makes you appear competent and intelligent.
It also gives you the chance to work specifically on your strengths: In which areas would you like to develop personally? It often makes more sense to focus on your strengths rather than working on your weaknesses.
It also strengthens your self-confidence to focus on the things you like and that come easily to you rather than looking at what can be improved. It is also helpful to remain open to criticism and learn from it.
Anyone who shows that they can set priorities and organize their tasks sensibly also appears more intelligent than someone who tends to get bogged down. Particularly important for your external image: make sure you meet deadlines for projects and other tasks.
If time management isn't your strong suit, there's nothing wrong with getting help. There are numerous tools online and as apps that make time management easier.
You may have to try out several methods until you find one that suits you.
Stay away from complicated methods that require a lot of preparation - the best tools are often clear and relatively self-explanatory.
If in doubt, a to-do list will do the trick, where you divide a project into subtasks and set yourself personal deadlines for each one. If you cannot meet an official deadline even with the best preparation, communicate this early on. Perhaps another solution can then be found. This also shows your competence.
[ Via GQ Germany}
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