For most professionals, looking dumb is career suicide. In fact, many highly qualified professionals forego opportunities to ask questions, experiment or challenge the status quo... simply because, it might make them look dumb. This is especially true for people new at the job or perhaps someone pursuing a trailblazing project.

It's just like driving in a big city for the first time - without a map. There would come a time when you would need to swallow your pride and ask for directions - instincts, and your gas tank, could only get you so far.

I think success is a function of one's ability to overcome the fear of looking dumb. Going further, sustained success is a matter of finding new opportunities to look or even play dumb. History is replete with people who've made tremendous progress because they've dared to look dumb.

Looking smart is highly overrated.

In closing, here's a nice paradox to ponder on:

Looking dumb (and sometimes playing dumb) enables us to do smart things.