Struggles of smart but blunt people
Four biggest challenges they face—And how to overcome them.
They can fix things that aren’t even broken. They can find a flaw in a perfectly cooked gourmet meal and confidently tell the chef, "You know, a hint of truffle oil would enhance this risotto." They have a list of ways to make the Mona Lisa smile a little wider. They zig when others zag, and then wonder why no one followed them.
Welcome to the world of people who are smart but blunt.
These aren't your ordinary smart people. The way they see themselves is nowhere close to how others see them:
They see themselves as efficient. Others see them as nitpickers.
They see themselves as driven. Others feel like they’re driving everyone to the brink of insanity.
They think they’re competitive. Others think they’re confrontational.
They think they know everything. Others just wish they’d stop knowing out loud.
Oh, the joy of having a smart but blunt person in your life! Know someone who fits this profile? I bet you do! Today, let’s step into their universe. Let’s understand their struggles, dig up the root cause of their "charm," and—just this once—help them out with some gentle guidance. Who knows, they might even thank us. Don’t hold your breath though!
Struggle #1—I'm clearly the smartest person in the room. Why aren't they listening to me?
Problem Area: Interpersonal communication
Solution: Reference Shifting
If you constantly feel like people just don’t “get” you or your brilliant point of view, here’s a simple tip from Clear Thinking:
Listen first, talk later. Repeat back what you think the other person said with something like, "So you're saying…?" and then ask, "What did I miss?"
Benefits of this exercise:
Let's face it, you’re not listening; you’re just waiting for your turn to speak. This exercise forces you to listen.
Humans love correcting each other. Your “What did I miss?” will be an invitation for them to correct you and reveal what’s most important to them.
Repeat and ask again. This shows you understand their point of view. It’s like a secret hack to being the actual smartest person in the room because now you know where they stand before you blow them away with your insight.
Struggle #2—Oh, you're not done explaining the problem? I already have a solution.
Problem Area: Overconfidence
Solution: Create a space between the problem and the solution
You’ve seen it in meetings, classrooms, and probably family dinners: someone presents a problem, and boom!—everyone jumps straight to the solution, usually without even understanding what the real problem is.
Shane Parrish calls this "reacting without reasoning." You’re missing the target because you’re shooting without aiming.
Don’t rush to solve the problem. Instead, spend time understanding it. Think of the problem as a person—buy them a coffee, ask how they’re doing, get to know them before you decide how to "fix" them.
Tips from Clear Thinking:
Tip 1: Question the problem
Ask, “What would have to be true for this problem not to exist in the first place?”
Tip 2: Create space between the problem and the solution
Hold separate meetings: one for defining the problem, and another for brainstorming solutions. Smart leaders don’t rush to conclusions—they stroll thoughtfully to them.
Ash Maurya, a very smart entrepreneur loves the problem more than the solution. He’s running a successful business based on this strategy.
Struggle #3—I'm not saying you're an idiot. I'm just saying your idea is stupid.
Problem Area: Lack of emotional intelligence
Solution: Practice empathy—Pause and reframe.
Communication isn’t just about what you say. It’s about how the listener hears it. Your message may start as "constructive criticism," but by the time it reaches their brain, it sounds like "you’re hopeless." Tone matters, my friend.
Think of it like playing a game of "telephone"—by the time your words travel from your mouth to their ears, things get a little… garbled. Remember, it’s not what you say, it’s what they hear.
Struggle #4—I'm not impatient. I'm efficient.
Problem Area: Need for perfection
Solution: Mindful patience
You believe efficiency means rushing from A to Z in a straight line, but sometimes, a scenic detour helps everyone else catch up.
Practice slowing down. Take a deep breath. Give others time to get their act together. It’s not all about winning the race. Sometimes, it's about keeping everyone in the race.
If you know someone who fits the bill, pass this along. And if it helps you…well, now you know who you are. 😉
Until next time 🙌