Experts don’t know everything.
An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.
- Niels Bohr
I was a guest “expert” lecturer at an MBA class last night - was asked to talk real world versus text book strategic planning. As regular readers of this blog might imagine, I really enjoyed it, particularly since these were folks that had been out in the working world for a while. Still and all, I had to chuckle a bit when they started asking me about gathering data and running analysis, making projections, etc. All that methodical “stuff” in the books. Um, well yes, you should do those things, but you will also have to deal with such things as:
1. A CEO running in saying, “We have to buy this company - get that analysis and recommendation to me by tomorrow!” This after he read an article on the plane about said company. So, what happens if you come back with the analysis that shows it’s a bad idea?
2. “Just get it done.” In one of my past Corporate lives, I had to participate in mandatory TQM training. When we got back to the office, the first words out of the president’s mouth were “We don’t have time to do that TQM stuff.” Alrighty then.
And, last but not least - “experts don’t know everything.” Sometimes you have to go with your gut and break a few rules. Otherwise, by the time you’ve completed your data gathering, done the analysis, consulted with the poobahs - the market has moved on.
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December 1st, 2005 at 9:51 am
I heartily agree… where were all the ideas and businesses found on the web just 10 years ago? I’ll tell you, they were locked in a cube and told to sit down, shut up and do their niche of a job — Or strapped to their chairs in a class learning what’s already been done.
Innovation comes from those who are allowed the space to think and then try out their concepts.
December 3rd, 2005 at 12:05 pm
I, too, love speaking to young budding business people. I particularly enjoy taking their naive idealistic ideas of the business world and squashing them like tiny little bugs.
For those with bright expectations that all their brilliant ideas will not only be heard, but be implemented immediately - I feel true compassion. Because I think that passion is what fuels great companies. What we really need to teach these folks is how to lower their expectations, but not their internal standards.
You have to have the chutzpuh to fight for what you truly believe, but you also have to have the inner strength to survive a lot of lost battles.
I’m sure your experiences were perhaps an unwelcome wake up call - but I’m also sure they were inspirational. Keep up the good work.
Holly
August 18th, 2006 at 6:56 am
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June 20th, 2007 at 7:36 am
[…] (1) No, I don’t recall who these bonehead “experts” were (We’re talking nearly 20 years ago.) But, such goofball no-value high-cost reports are one reason I have trouble with “expert.” The more people bloviate about their expertise, the less likely they’ll actually do anything for you. Remember, Experts Don’t Know Everything! […]