Choosing Where to Sit: Expertise, Beliefs, and Innovation
Expertise and firmly held beliefs don’t always go hand in hand. In fact, sometimes it’s important to consider where we fall on the spectrum of knowledge and conviction. Are we firmly rooted in our beliefs, or are we open to new ideas?
While professionals often rely on their strongly held beliefs for decision-making efficiency, there is a space for innovation and curiosity. Innovators challenge traditional thinking and ask the important questions like ‘what if’ and ‘why.’ They offer new perspectives that can lead to breakthroughs.
For most of us, our role is in being curious. We may not have expertise, but we can ask questions and listen actively. The willingness to change our minds and consider new ideas is a hallmark of curiosity and growth.
Unfortunately, the rise of social media has also elevated the voices of the foolish – those who lack expertise yet refuse to reconsider their beliefs. It’s important for us to discern where we stand and where we wish to be.
So, where do you sit at the table of expertise, beliefs, and innovation? Are you firmly rooted, open to change, or somewhere in between?