Raise your hand. Half the room has the same question and is praying someone else asks it.

Confusion in a room is almost never held by one person. It just goes unspoken, because everyone assumes their own gap is unique and everyone else is following fine. That assumption is usually wrong in both directions. When someone finally asks, you can watch the relief travel across the desks.

Be that person once this week. Ask the question you think is too basic, out loud, without apologizing for it first. Some of the people who thank you afterwards will be the ones who looked most confident while you were deciding whether to speak.