In experts we trust

#Strategy #Leadership #Optimizely

These days, the world feels defined by contradictions in a way that I just don’t think was true 30 years ago.

What motivates people to believe the things they do? Why does it seem that there so much more polarity than ever before? We’re pro-democracy and pro-monarchy. The Queen, beyond reproach. Her grandson a traitor. We stand with Ukraine but not those desperately seeking asylum from any other war. We clap nurses and boo the trade unions. We loathe political-correctness as much as we do bigotry. These things are hard to reconcile, aren’t they?

The pervasiveness of contradictions presents in itself a thorny dichotomy. In a world of accelerating change, it seems that nowadays the only safe space available for us is either in reluctance or recalcitrance. But we know only too well that the recalcitrant get shunned by bosses and marginalised by peers - not a good look - and so our workplace has become increasingly characterised by reluctance. Reluctance to put one’s head above the parapet. To say, ‘I think we’re doing this thing wrong … I think we’d be wise to stop repeating these common mistakes … if we don’t rethink this project urgently, we might become superfluous, obsolete, redundant …’

Much has been made of the recent spate of ‘mass-layoffs’ in the tech industry (Facebook, Amazon etc). It’s as if ‘mass-layoffs’ are an act of God. As regrettable as they certainly are, they’re certainly not. They’re the result of many overlapping groups of people not questioning the purpose and value of an endeavour with appropriate candour. To not habitually challenge the status quo in the fastest moving industry humanity has ever seen is (I’d argue) an oversight.

More broadly, it seems a heightened fear of conflict has permeated the substrate of our culture. And so is it any surprise to see increasing evidence of anodyne groupthink in the workplace? Where management teams resort to codified dog-whistles heard only by a tuned-in, faithful minority. Depressingly, reluctance (kissing cousin of apathy) has become one of the many ‘new normals’.

That’s not to say that asserting oneself hasn’t always been a risky business. The path of least resistance will always be a seductive sedative. No opinion, no point of view, nice life. Except, it’s not, is it? It’s why Elon is everyone’s favourite anti-hero. So unafraid, so powerful. He’s the modern day f*** you Pharaoh of the digital world.

To speak plainly holds such appeal. To stand in defiant opposition to armies of parasitic charlatans feasting on the still warm body of intellectual rigour and independent thought, is a noble fight indeed.

Of course, plain speaking requires confidence. Confidence is not a genetic quality. It’s comes from knowing one’s expertise has been tested in real-world application over and over. With every test, our expertise grows. So too, our confidence. Proven expertise offers succour in a world of um-ing and ah-ing, of dilly-ing and dally-ing.

What’s my point? Let me get to it now.

The true expert offers elegant, efficient, sharp, forensic diagnosis. Half a dozen questions unearth enough material for the proficient to identify the root cause of any problem in their wheel-house. Quickly, thereafter, ideas for rehabilitation surface. Because, even if they haven’t quite seen it all before, they've seen more than enough similar varieties.

A swift credible diagnosis offers comfort and inspires client confidence. Indeed, the only reason a swift credible diagnosis is available is because the subject matter expert is operating in deeply familiar territory, one in which they have trained, studied, been recognised and is well adapted to.

Experts with experience offer clear-sighted, uncomplicated, easy to follow advice almost immediately. They always know their value and have no shame in setting that out.

This is what we do. This is how, this is why, this is how much it will cost. Would you like me to start?

Yes, please. I really would.