How smart leaders need to be is a consideration based on the importance we place on engagement. When a leader's interest is engagement, the leader works to build and leverage the group's collective smarts. Being the "smartest" person in the room is not a requirement for engagement of a group acting smarter together. Engagement has plenty of room for leaders to be subject matter experts for a group. Another way they add unique value is often being one of the people in a group who come to the table with the strongest capabilities to invite new questions.