What do you do to look smart? Does it help? Does it hurt? Do you even know?! Here, from page D1 of the 1/14/2015 edition of the WSJ, is what the research says:
Behaviors People Use To TRY To Look Smart
- Putting on a serious facial expression
- Holding hands and arms still
- Using big words and complex sentences
- Moving fast than others around them
Behaviors Others Look For When Judging Who’s Smart
- Having a self confident expression
- Being responsive in conversations, nodding and gesturing
- Speaking in a pleasant, expressive voice
- Using clear language
Behaviors People Use That Actually Make Them Look Smart
- Looking at others while speaking
- Standing of sitting up straight
- Using a middle initial
- Wearing glasses
Post Script
I hope this post has helped you learn something about yourself. If so, please make a point to share your insight with others as a way to "lock in" your learning.While you're at it, I'd also appreciate you telling them about LeadershipTraction and the resources available, here, on-line, at www.leadershiptraction.com including:
• my other blog posts
• my leadership tutorial downloads
• my newsletter archives
• the curated content on my LeadershipTraction Facebook page
• and, of course, my book, Leadership Haiku
Thanks.
- bz
P.P.S. If you have a question or comment about this post, just let me know. I'll do my best to get back to you, straightaway.