People become harder to exploit when they understand the things they previously had to outsource blindly.

Whenever you hand over something you do not understand, you have to trust entirely. Most people who take that trust handle it well, and some do not, and you cannot tell which is which without some knowledge of your own. Learning the basics of the things you outsource changes the relationship from faith to informed reliance.

Choose one area where you currently understand nothing and depend heavily, money, health, a repair, a contract. Learn enough to ask two intelligent questions. You will not become an expert, but you will stop being the easiest person in the room to take advantage of.