If a subordinate want a positive reaction from your boss for your smartness, firstly he must be honest, trustworthy and meaningful to him, as it will lead him to positive impression in the boss mind. At the same time, there are reasons for your boss being threatened of being less intelligent than their subordinates. One of the main reasons is, when a junior is smarter than the boss, the boss may feel insecure of loosing his position Kanchana TK, Executive Director of Vantage Insurance Brokers and Risk Advisors, reports to the economic times that whenever your boss is not happy with you being smarter than him, at that point of time only two things can happen. Firstly it will allow you to show case your ability to find solution for that problem. But the important thing is that the approach is quite delicate and the teaching may be more form the case study perspective, than from an individual knowledge standpoint. Secondly, it allows your boss to appreciate and value you as an employee who knows more than him or her in some areas if not all the areas.