Just came across an interesting article title " the less you know, the more you think you know"
http://www.omg-facts.com/view/Facts/26152
It makes you wonder how much do you really know? Is it because the more you know, the more you know you don't know? I have this feeling as I progress up the academic path. Used to think that I know quite a bit, but as I study more, I feel more and more inferior. Knowing that there are so much things out there which I don't even know in the first place.
It makes me think about another issue. Knowledgable people are usually more humble, and they don't boast around what they know. They will quietly do their work and feel that they are constantly not good enough, always looking to learn more. While those who thinks they are already good enough would slack and think they are dwarfing over the rest. Is that why the smart gets smarter ?
From the link, it lead me to two other interesting articles on Peter's principle and the Dunning kruger effect. It struck me hard as I think I belong to that category.
"In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence"
It's true isn't it. When we perform well in a task we expect a promotion and that usually is in the path of management roles or supervisory roles. But what we excelled in initially are the mediocre task such as individual work. How can that be a good gauge to whether we are a good manager? Often than not, I question the ability of the managers above me as I feel that they are not adequate in their roles. So have they rose to their level of incompetence?
Granted.. People can learn along the way and improvements can be made. But so often, they will be stagnant there for a real long period of time and that denies the potential employees below them opportunity for promotion. The article gave some good suggestions on how this can be minimized.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Principle
As for the Dunning-Kruger effect, is a cognitive bias in which unskilled people make poor decisions and reach erroneous conclusions, but their incompetence denies them the metacognitive ability to appreciate their mistakes. Put it in layman terms, stupid people think they are very good and thus often make stupid mistakes by thinking that they are smarter than average Joe.
To be aware about this effect I think it's critical for my own development as I believe I am guilty of that at times. Of course, whether one is skilled or not depends on what field you are comparing with. But in general, I think I've been thinking a bit too highly of myself and overly confident of my ability. This was evident when my boss gave me new tasked, I thought it was interesting and do-able. But when I started getting down to work, I'm at a loss of what to do next. That's a clear indication of lack of knowledge in that field.
Being aware of such effects and principles make me think a lot... and I think I need the time to self evaluate to better myself.
To begin, I need to be :
1. More careful with my choice of words
2. Don't be overconfident
3. Improve on my knowledge
I want to better myself.. and this is one big step for a giant change.. I hope..
Zee
