--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Always be smarter than the people who…" description: "\"Always be smarter than the people who hire you.\" — Lena Horne" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/lena-horne-15555_hire_always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hi_2335162.jpg" --- # Always be smarter than the people who hire you. ![“Always be smarter than the people who hire you.” quote by Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/lena-horne-15555_hire_always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hi_2335162.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/lena-horne-15555_hire_always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hi_2335162.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/lena-horne-15555_hire_always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hi_2335162.jpg) > “Always be smarter than the people who hire you.” [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocating for personal intelligence to surpass expectations of employers. **In simple terms:** Be smarter than your boss. Key Takeaway Cultivate expertise beyond job requirements. Themes career empowerment leadership Mood motivational assertive Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - job interviews - performance reviews - career planning - networking Key Concepts strategic thinking self‑advocacy Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance humility with ambition? - What steps will you take to outskill peers? A Different Perspective May foster resentment or unrealistic competition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [There are very few black-and-white truths in management or in business, but one that I have found is that people either hire people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dubuc/there-are-very-few-black-and-white-truths-in-management-or-in/) [Nancy Dubuc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dubuc/) > [I can't spell or do grammar, but I'm smarter and more serious than people think. I'm no featherweight when it comes to digging deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cher/i-can-t-spell-or-do-grammar-but-i-m-smarter-and-more-serious-than/) [Cher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cher/) > [I worked hard and smarter than most people in the businesses I have been in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/i-worked-hard-and-smarter-than-most-people-in-the-businesses-i-have/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [“smarter people tend to think more like economists”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/smarter-people-tend-to-think-more-like-economists/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [A man only learns by two things; one is reading and the other is association with smarter people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/a-man-only-learns-by-two-things-one-is-reading-and-the-other-is/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [I would describe my work as bizarre, perfect, life changing. And smarter than people that don't get me think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-stalter/i-would-describe-my-work-as-bizarre-perfect-life-changing-and-smarter/) [Megan Stalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-stalter/) > [It's true that people do assume that people who are critical are smarter than people who are uncritical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/it-s-true-that-people-do-assume-that-people-who-are-critical-are/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [My mother let me know that we're all connected. If some of us become more affluent it's not because we're better or even smarter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/my-mother-let-me-know-that-we-re-all-connected-if-some-of-us-become/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [You're only as good as the people you hire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kroc/you-re-only-as-good-as-the-people-you-hire/) [Ray Kroc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kroc/) > [Whatever I have is because of the people who are watching me. I don't have a PR agency, I don't have a manager, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-massey/whatever-i-have-is-because-of-the-people-who-are-watching-me-i-don-t/) [Vikrant Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-massey/) > [If there's a sustainable job that will create sustainable value, people will hire for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cunliffe/if-there-s-a-sustainable-job-that-will-create-sustainable-value/) [David Cunliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cunliffe/) > [I have a similar issue with people who hire me as I do with women. 'You have to have a particular taste to want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-segel/i-have-a-similar-issue-with-people-who-hire-me-as-i-do-with-women-you/) [Jason Segel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-segel/) > [First-rate people hire first-rate people; second-rate people hire third-rate people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-rosten/first-rate-people-hire-first-rate-people-second-rate-people-hire/) [Leo Rosten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-rosten/) > [I don't know why people hire architects and then tell them what to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-don-t-know-why-people-hire-architects-and-then-tell-them-what-to-do/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [I'm a mercenary. That's what people hire me for, and I don't apologize for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-avenatti/i-m-a-mercenary-that-s-what-people-hire-me-for-and-i-don-t-apologize/) [Michael Avenatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-avenatti/) ## More by Lena Horne > [It's so nice to get flowers while you can still smell the fragrance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/it-s-so-nice-to-get-flowers-while-you-can-still-smell-the-fragrance/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. Carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude for what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the-way-you-carry-it/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [I made a promise to myself to be kinder to other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/i-made-a-promise-to-myself-to-be-kinder-to-other-people/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/you-have-to-be-taught-to-be-second-class-you-re-not-born-that-way/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [Nobody black or white who really believes in democracy can stand aside now; everybody's got to stand up and be counted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/nobody-black-or-white-who-really-believes-in-democracy-can-stand/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [I'm not a career kind of person. When I saw new music, new trends coming in, I didn't see any place for me. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/i-m-not-a-career-kind-of-person-when-i-saw-new-music-new-trends/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [Malcolm X made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. He had peace in his heart.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/malcolm-x-made-me-very-strong-at-a-time-i-needed-to-understand-what-i/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [Don't be afraid to feel as angry or as loving as you can, because when you feel nothing, it's just death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/don-t-be-afraid-to-feel-as-angry-or-as-loving-as-you-can-because-when/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [ I learned from Ethel Waters, Duke Ellington, Adelaide Hall, the Nicholas Brothers, the whole thing, the whole schmear. \[The Cotton Club\] was a great… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/i-learned-from-ethel-waters-duke-ellington-adelaide-hall-the-nicholas/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [Count Basie isn't just a man, or even just a band. He's a way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/count-basie-isn-t-just-a-man-or-even-just-a-band-he-s-a-way-of-life/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [I had my schooling right there in the Cotton Club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/i-had-my-schooling-right-there-in-the-cotton-club/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [I want to sing like Aretha Franklin. Before her I wanted the technical ability of Ella Fitzgerald.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/i-want-to-sing-like-aretha-franklin-before-her-i-wanted-the-technical/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [After I got over the terrible pain of having something of mine taken from me, I began to think how bad everybody else must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/after-i-got-over-the-terrible-pain-of-having-something-of-mine-taken/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [I really do hate to sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/i-really-do-hate-to-sing/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [A little nepotism never hurt nobody, honey. If you got it, use it. Press on with it. Remind them of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/a-little-nepotism-never-hurt-nobody-honey-if-you-got-it-use-it-press/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) [Explore all 42 Lena Horne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) ## More Hire quotes > [I guess I've never really wanted to be anything else. I've never even thought about having another job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-farrell/i-guess-i-ve-never-really-wanted-to-be-anything-else-i-ve-never-even/) [Owen Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-farrell/) > [I would like to work with whoever would like to have me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-barnes/i-would-like-to-work-with-whoever-would-like-to-have-me/) [Ben Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-barnes/) > [Global poverty is the product of reversible policy failures overseen by politicians, past and present. The poorest of the poor don't vote in American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-evans/global-poverty-is-the-product-of-reversible-policy-failures-overseen/) [Hugh Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-evans/) > [I love to work with people and do what I love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-starr/i-love-to-work-with-people-and-do-what-i-love/) [Martin Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-starr/) > [I do focus my energy on music, but it's just the way that the industry works. I kind of have to take what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kravitz/i-do-focus-my-energy-on-music-but-it-s-just-the-way-that-the-industry/) [Zoe Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kravitz/) > [In other restaurants you'll see employees signing to each other, since we also hire many deaf men and women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-karcher/in-other-restaurants-you-ll-see-employees-signing-to-each-other-since/) [Carl Karcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-karcher/) > [When you hire me, you hire a nut who is going to work 24 hours a day for you and never, ever burn his audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-stern/when-you-hire-me-you-hire-a-nut-who-is-going-to-work-24-hours-a-day/) [Howard Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-stern/) > [If cheap immigrant labor is made unavailable, employers can hire Americans at a higher wage, or replace low-wage immigrant workers with technology and automation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-c-ting/if-cheap-immigrant-labor-is-made-unavailable-employers-can-hire/) [Jan C. Ting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-c-ting/) > [I would rather hire a man with enthusiasm, than a man who knows everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/i-would-rather-hire-a-man-with-enthusiasm-than-a-man-who-knows/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [They'll totally hire me if I say I got fired from my job on the Hill because of a sex scandal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-cutler/they-ll-totally-hire-me-if-i-say-i-got-fired-from-my-job-on-the-hill/) [Jessica Cutler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-cutler/) > [When a new hire is afraid to roll up their sleeves and get things done, it's a clear sign it's not going to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taavet-hinrikus/when-a-new-hire-is-afraid-to-roll-up-their-sleeves-and-get-things/) [Taavet Hinrikus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taavet-hinrikus/) > [If you need someone to come out of the sewer with a wire you don't hire someone who needs laborious collective instruction. You let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-monahan/if-you-need-someone-to-come-out-of-the-sewer-with-a-wire-you-don-t/) [William Monahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-monahan/) > [I mean, I've always said I have an amazing team and network of friends and people that I work with that, you know, inspire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-wang/i-mean-i-ve-always-said-i-have-an-amazing-team-and-network-of-friends/) [Alexander Wang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-wang/) > [I want the best people, not just on the banking side but on innovation and technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-patricia-botin/i-want-the-best-people-not-just-on-the-banking-side-but-on-innovation/) [Ana Patricia Botin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-patricia-botin/) > [For creative tasks, the best approach is often just to hire great people and get out of their way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/for-creative-tasks-the-best-approach-is-often-just-to-hire-great/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) Browse all 690 Hire quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Always be smarter than the people who hire you.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lena Horne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hire-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hire-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/lena-horne-15555_hire_always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hi_2335162.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/lena-horne-15555_hire_always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hi_2335162.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ba/lena-horne-15555_hire_always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hi_2335162.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Always be smarter than the people who hire you.” — Lena Horne", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lena Horne", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Always be smarter than the people...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hire-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/always-be-smarter-than-the-people-who-hire-you/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```