"Je ne suis pas le plus intelligent du monde mais je sais choisir des collègues intelligents"

The essence of this quote boils down to one simple truth: success doesn't always hinge on being the smartest person in the room. Instead, it often depends on surrounding yourself with intelligent, capable people. You don't need to have all the answers—just know how to find those who do.

Let's dig into some context. This sentiment has been echoed by many successful leaders and entrepreneurs over the years. It’s a nod to the importance of collaboration and leveraging the strengths of others. Think about a successful CEO like Steve Jobs. He was a visionary, no doubt, but he didn't design every product or write every line of code. He had the knack for assembling a team of brilliant minds who could bring his vision to life.

Imagine a small tech startup. The founder, let’s call her Sarah, has a groundbreaking idea for an app that could revolutionize online learning. Now, Sarah is incredibly passionate and driven, but she’s not a coding whiz, nor does she have a strong background in marketing. So, what does she do? She hires John, an experienced software developer, and Emily, a marketing guru. John turns Sarah's idea into a functional, user-friendly app, and Emily devises a killer marketing strategy to get it in front of the right audience. Sarah’s brilliance was in recognizing her limitations and bringing in the right people to fill those gaps.

So how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by honestly assessing your strengths and weaknesses. There’s no shame in admitting you don't know everything—none of us do. Then, actively seek out people who complement your skills. This could be in your professional life, like finding a business partner who excels in areas where you’re less confident. Or it could be in your personal life, like building a support network of friends and family who can offer advice and perspective.

Let's make this even more relatable. Picture this: You’re planning a big event, maybe a wedding or a milestone birthday party. You want everything to be perfect, but event planning isn’t your forte. Instead of trying to do it all yourself and risking burnout and disappointment, you enlist help. Your friend who loves to cook takes charge of the menu. Another who has a knack for design handles the decorations. Someone else takes on the role of coordinating with vendors. By delegating tasks based on each person’s strengths, you end up with a fabulous event that’s the product of collective effort.

In essence, this quote underscores a powerful life lesson. You don't have to be the best at everything. Recognize the value in others’ expertise and don't hesitate to tap into it. It’s about building a network of smart, capable individuals who can help you achieve your goals. So next time you find yourself feeling inadequate or overwhelmed, remember: you’ve just got to pick the right colleagues.