You probably knew them all the way back to grade school, you see them every day in video conference calls (that is, if they show their face) are still dealing with them in your personal life, and are resigned to humoring them until the day you leave this life: The people who, while “book smart”, just don’t “get it.”
They tell inappropriate jokes at the worst time, can’t read body language and while they understand high-level concepts, they stumble in the real-world of execution.
Book smarts alone won’t get you the promotion.
Book smarts work well in a vacuum, but when interpreting nonverbal communication, understanding situational norms and synthesizing emotion are an important part of the equation, the vast memorized knowledge bank alone doesn’t always help.
This is the guy who can plan and schedule a road trip to the minute, but doesn’t know when his passengers need to take a break and stretch their legs. It’s the high school honors student who can’t adjust to being in a sea of geniuses in college (real story). It’s the family member that you’re afraid is going to say something racist or sexist in public and think nothing of it.
But what happens when you’re the one in the office who doesn’t have the street smarts? The one who’s been told it’s holding you back? Here are three ideas provided to Fast Company by Harrison Monarth, author of “Executive Presence: The Art of Commanding Respect Like a CEO” that will help you develop your street smarts:
Critically Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses – I like this one because it forces you to be honest with yourself. How can you be aware of what’s going on with others if you can’t face – for better or worse – what’s going on with you? If you weren’t around, what would your co-workers say about you? Would you want to hear it? Would you view it as constructive criticism or baseless insults? That may tell you a lot about your street smarts.
Practice Being Authentic – Let’s admit it. When you say “How are you doing?” you may as well be saying, “I see you there.” When somebody gives their Pavlovian “Good” response, confirm with them that they are OK. And if somebody asks you, don’t answer “Good.” Good is how a hamburger tastes. Tell them how you feel and begin giving more people the truth and share a bit more of who you are.
Develop Perspective – This one is key to build a connection. You’re going to meet very few people who share your exact likes, dislikes, values and beliefs. That doesn’t make either of you right or wrong. But when there is something important at stake, humans activate our built-in biases. That’s when you must work to develop the ability to see through another person’s eyes.
Street smarts isn’t about manipulation or hiding your faults. If you’re going to be a leader and manager of minds in an organization, you’re going to need to know how to read people as easily as you can read a corporate report. You’re also going to need to be able to lean on other’s strengths where you have weaknesses. Call it social intelligence or street smarts, it’s an often-overlooked skill that will help you rise to the top fast.
If you are serious about moving up in your career you must also consider learning about the nuances of the persuasion process.
I can help with that!
The Ultimate Persuasion Blueprint is a mini video-course that you can access and download HERE for FREE! In this mini-course, you will learn what to do before, during and after a persuasive conversation to get more of what you want, now.
