One of the smartest things I do in business is let myself be stupid because sometimes I am. I see lots of people in business who put lots of energy into looking like the smartest person in the room. That’s stupid.

I want clients to feel comfortable saying, “Blogenberg, you idiot!” That way, I know that we will be delivering what a client needs. Because this is what I know: if we do a good job in the end for a client, it doesn’t matter if, for example, there were some rough drafts along the way that the client didn’t like.

When I do any consulting I go out of my way to make sure people in the room feel empowered to disagree with me. I always use this line: “I’m not one of those consultants who says things just to impress you. Because, believe me, I get paid even if you’re not impressed. Also, I cannot be offended — I am too full of myself. So feel free to contradict me, argue with me, tell me I am clueless, etc.”

Because sometimes smart is as stupid does.

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