Dealing with the "Smartest" Guy in the Room

A strategy for dealing with the big brain

"He likes to talk."

I remember thinking that, after some time, partway through a Zoom call in which a single individual dominated the discussion with a dozen others. It felt oppressive at a certain point. He was sharp, really sharp, but it was easy to spot that this guy just couldn't stop himself.

It got me to thinking about what might strategies might exist for dealing with this kind of person. Are there verbal spike strips one can use to stop or slow someone who just keeps speaking?

Moreover, strategic decision-making tends to draw in this kind of person and so encounters with this type become more likely as you practice as a strategist. If you’re in the strategic river, your boat’s probably going to bump into this sort of crocodile.

First thing’s first, let’s establish a principle. We all have blind spots. Blind spots are the natural blinders we all wear that don't require us to physically cover up our eyes. Because nobody is all-seeing—we don’t and cannot hope to have 360-degree/all-round sight—it is good for all of us to listen to other perspectives.

Overtalking others is often a form of pride. It is to put our own ideas over all others. In this case, pride is problematic. (Even a sin to some.) It represents the amplification of blind spots. It’s a choice to cover ones eyes instead of attempting to see more of the board.

So the spike strip line to use might be: “You have great ideas, but those ideas are strengthened when we’ve shared all the views here. Everyone benefits when we can see the whole board.”

That’s no guarantee it’ll work. Some bulldozers just want to keep bullishly dozing.

At the very least, you’ve got to spot your opening and seize it. Most of the time, you’re only going to get your opportunity if you force your way in. You don’t want to come off as rude and thereby lose the support of the assembled audience (however large or small that might be). So you’ve got to sniff for blood, pick your slot, and seize it.