Even the smartest person in the room is clueless about something. Brilliance has blind spots too.

Ability in one area tells you almost nothing about ability in another, and the confidence that comes with being good at something tends to travel further than the competence does. That is true of the impressive people around you and equally true of you. Nobody holds a general license to be right.

When someone knowledgeable says something outside their field, treat it as an opinion rather than a ruling. Check it the way you would check anyone’s. And notice where you do the same thing, using your expert voice about something you merely feel strongly about.