It's Okay To be The Dumbest Person In The Room

Recently updated on: November 26, 2023

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to attend Forward Pilipinas. It was a conference of ideas, just like TED Talks.

It featured CJ Maria Lourdes Sereno, Maria Ressa, Nico Bolzico, Dr. Gyeng Chul Kim, and many more.

Being a regular TED Talks viewer, I always wanted to attend one. So I applied for an invitation to the event.

At first, it was announced as TEDx Forward Pilipinas. However, I guess it encountered an issue with the licensing, so they proceeded anyway with just Forward Pilipinas and dropped the TEDx.

I can't remember exactly how, but I was sure I submitted an essay before I could buy a ticket.

After a few months, I received an email that I was accepted and paid for the ticket. I was filled with both excitement and fear.

At first, I was very insecure about going. I felt I didn't deserve to be there because other people were more qualified than me. But I went anyway.

I felt like an impostor.

On the day of the event, I came alone. I went early to find my seat and had ample time to get lost since I was unfamiliar with SM Aura SMX. (Even though I pass SM Aura daily going to and from my work at McKinley Hill).

After securing my seat, I felt overwhelmed by the people in attendance. I saw celebrities and other people of influence.

I felt I didn't belong and was just an impostor who bought an extra ticket by dumb luck.

Being the dumbest person in the room wasn't all that bad.

When the event formally started, I was amazed by each speaker's presentation.

I learned so much that day that some of the ideas I heard stuck with me.

I'll never forget the importance of efficient public transportation in advancing a nation delivered by Dr. Kim.

I also learned more about vertical farming and high-value crops presented by agriculture startup owners, including Nico Bolzico (I also saw Patato, Nico's pet turtle.)

I learned about the impact of fake news, which greatly influenced the 2016 elections, the drug war, and beyond, presented by Maria Ressa.

And with ex-CJ Sereno freshly ousted by quo warranto from the Supreme Court, they delivered the importance of a neutral judicial system.

Those are what I remembered just from the top of my head. Since then, I have learned much and attended similar forums and conferences.

There are always events around Metro Manila that are very interesting, and some are even offered for free. Here are some which I attended.

I realized that having the feeling of being the dumbest person in the room presents a great advantage of being the person with the excellent potential to absorb the most ideas.

I changed my perspective and associated being the dumbest person in the room with the person with the most opportunities to learn and grow.

Fear and Insecurity

I think anyone can give instances of their lives when they felt stupid and insecure about other knowledgeable people in attendance, even with great ideas.

And suppose a person can't identify even one event where he felt less qualified. In that case, I guess he is either the most brilliant man in the event or he is full of pride to admit that there can be other people who know more than him.

Pride is the enemy of progress because prideful people think they know it all, which results in limited room for improvement.

On the other hand, the feeling of fear and insecurity brings humility. It shows that you are still a glass half empty waiting to be filled.

Final Thought

Like how I got the courage to go to events alone, I hope you will also have the courage to feel insecure in a large crowd.

What I realized in those events is that no one knows who I am, and some may even feel as insecure or as dumb as I am.

Let us continually put ourselves in an uncomfortable position and go to places with people smarter or better than us so we will continue to grow.

Because being the dumbest person in the room gives the highest potential and return on investment.