If you have the context to sit a level above the conversation and can see that the issues being talked about are clearly peripheral, you know enough to redirect

If you have the context to sit a level above the conversation and can see that the issues being talked about are clearly peripheral, you know enough to redirect the conversation to the core issues with a good question. If you don't, you can ask clarifying questions until you do. Always focus on what would help you decide one way or another. If you get into a disagreement with someone and you can't resolve it in the scope of the conversation, ask for a reference or data. If you're in a conversation with an expert, you're the student. And that's ok. We're all students of the world. At the same time, don't be afraid of speaking too far ahead of your knowledge. When someone calls you on it, you have a chance to learn. Become a questioner. The real problem is if you've been fronting and cracks appear in the facade. Then people know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you've been acting small and think less of you. The only cure is not to be a bullshitter. Don't pretend you know what you don't. There's a difference between pretending like you know it all and being forced to act on imperfect information. The former is a character flaw, the latter is just life happening.