In a Room Full of People Better Than Me

I’m in a room full of people who are better than me.

That’s not me being self-deprecating. It’s just true.

They’re sharper in certain areas. More experienced in others. Some have deeper technical knowledge. Some speak with more certainty.

And if I’m honest, it triggered a flicker of imposter syndrome.

Why am I here?

Over lunch, a few of us ended up talking about ego. About how easy it is to feel that you need to be the expert in the room. To justify your seat at the table. To prove your worth.

But that isn’t why I’m here.

I’m here because I bring something. Just not everything.

And neither does anyone else.

A retired friend of mine, who has learned five languages in retirement, once told me that if you want to grow, you need to be in rooms where you’re not the smartest person. If you’re always the most knowledgeable one there, you might feel comfortable. But you’re probably not stretching.

Discomfort isn’t always a warning sign. Sometimes it’s evidence of expansion.

There’s a difference between being out of your depth and being out of your comfort zone. One is unsafe. The other is developmental.

So perhaps the question isn’t “Do I deserve to be here?”

Perhaps it’s “What can I learn while I am?”

That feels far more useful.