We’ve all heard the saying, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” And it’s true—working with smart people pushes you to think sharper, move faster, and elevate your game. But after years of working with brilliant minds, I’ve realized something even more powerful: intelligence alone doesn’t create magic. It’s kindness and humility that turn great teams into extraordinary ones.
Because smart people can solve problems. But kind and humble people? They make you want to solve them together. They create an environment where you’re not afraid to ask questions, admit mistakes, or say, “I don’t know.” There’s no ego, no one-upmanship—just genuine curiosity and respect. You grow because you feel safe enough to stretch yourself. You thrive because you know you’re supported, not judged.
I’ve been in rooms where intellect filled the air like static—brilliant, but heavy. Then I’ve been in rooms where humility lit up the space—warm, open, alive. The difference? In the second room, people listened as much as they spoke. They celebrated small wins. They checked their egos at the door. And in that kind of atmosphere, even the quietest ideas had a chance to become game-changers.
Kindness doesn’t mean being soft. Humility doesn’t mean shrinking yourself. It means recognizing that everyone brings something valuable to the table—and that learning never stops, no matter your title. It means knowing that the smartest solution often comes from the most unexpected corner.
So yes, working with smart people is great. But when you get to work with those who are both brilliant and humble—who lift others while they climb—that’s when the real magic happens. That’s when work feels less like a grind and more like a shared mission.
At the end of the day, intelligence can impress you. But kindness? That changes you.
Kenrick Vaz 