Trap of Appearances
In the corporate world, appearing less competent can sometimes be a smart move. Take the story of Steve, a junior employee at a marketing firm. Steve was brilliant, but he played his role as the quiet, unassuming worker. His colleagues didn’t feel threatened by him and often shared ideas and strategies openly, thinking Steve was too “green” to pose any real challenge. They underestimated his ability.
When the time came for a major project, Steve stepped up, quietly using all the insights he had gathered. His colleagues were blindsided by his level of knowledge and skill, which he had kept hidden. Steve’s act of seeming less sharp helped him fly under the radar, allowing him to make a big impact when it mattered most.
The lesson here is that if you don’t always show your full hand, people are less likely to try to block your progress. It can be a brilliant move in environments where competitiveness can lead to unnecessary obstacles. Sometimes, letting others believe they are superior allows you to strike at the right time.