Search Results: dumbing yourself down

This happens too of course with men but more often than women. If you are of above average intelligence you value it more but it isn't always socially acceptable. And you find yourself falling into this in between of not fitting in with more average thinkers but also not always being accepted amongst your intellectual peers. I think it comes down partly due to confidence but most times we judge people on first appearances.

I prove myself through my work, skill and expertise and do gain respect after having being given a chance to show what I can do. But working in a position where men outnumber me by 1 and 7 every time I'm working with a new group of men the same thing happens. I get dismissed at first by most men in our product development group. When I suggest something based off of experience that has worked at first they just are like whatever and move on. This is only when I haven't worked with them before. If I have worked with even one of them they vouche for me and tell the others to listen because I've gotten results.

BUT if the same guy is in a group of good old boys at a mixer I get brushed off. I have to miss out on male outings sometimes and despite my talent often times I don't get mentored by male associates the way men my age do as a result.

I know im not dumb and I prove myself to be capable all of the time. But sometimes even though I know I'm not dumb I feel like maybe I'm not as smart as I should be then after months of my suggestions boss uses it in a meeting with HQ giving me no credit in private or anything on an idea he told me wasn't good. It has happened with more than just one male boss or colleague.