Two traps you see intelligent, successful people fall into: “too smart to be stupid” and “too smart to look stupid.” They’re different things. “Too smart to be stupid” is a type of high IQ mind that can’t model edge cases, outliers or the real world very well. It also often assumes a rational and intelligent theory of mind for all players, and sometimes makes wrong decisions or assumptions because of this. The dumb simple move is impossible for them so it feels impossible for others, too. “Too smart to look stupid” is a different problem, because it’s really just a matter of weak character. If you’re smart and you’re known for being smart, it’s really painful to put yourself in positions where you’ll look stupid, even if you know they’re right or valuable. Engineers and professors often suffer from the first problem. MBAs, journalists, or elite credentialed fields often suffer from the second.

I’m borrowing “too smart to be stupid” from my Southern mother. I know what and who she means when she says it.