Tougher than the Times: The Trouble with Experts
May 15, 2009
|
|
| |
|
|
In This Issue
|
- Article: The Trouble with "Experts"....
- News & Events
|
|
The Trouble with "Experts"....
|
| by Rolfe Carawan |
Today, our world is inundated with experts. We have experts in almost every imaginable field asking us to buy their "fool proof" system for success in that field. I have paid many such experts to dole out their wisdom to me and attended numerous seminars where the same was promised. I should tell you that almost without exception, I left disappointed and maybe even a bit disenchanted... and I am considered an expert!!
The only problem with "success experts" is that they are far too psychologically and emotionally invested in what they have determined to be "THE way" of doing whatever it is they are expert at doing. After all, they have achieved "expert status" by DOING things a certain way. Far too often, the real problem is that experts are far too often enslaved to the activities of yesterday...and quite possibly removed from what is actually required for success today.
For example, I am a member of an association that is full of experts touting worn-out advice for success that is FAR passed its expiration date. The shame of it is that they (the experts) SEE that the "old way" is no longer profitable, but rather than insist on changing course, they encourage their protégés to press forward in these yesterday activities. Here is the truth: No matter our industry or career path, the activities that led to our success yesterday will not be sufficient for today. What got us HERE will not get us THERE. Period.
Instead, our time would best be spent on being INNOVATIVE... on seeing the challenge before us and moving toward it with a creative energy determined to overcome. When our world changes, the tendency is to spend a great deal of time looking backward... wishing things were different... waiting for things to "get back to normal"... Yet this will not happen. And we must remember that change is good.
Change is required for all growth and forward-movement. Henry Ford once stated that if he had asked the customers what they wanted, "they would have said a faster horse". I, for one, am glad Mr. Ford insisted on a totally new direction for transportation. It is so important to remember that change is often resisted by most of us and ignored by the experts who are advising us on courses of action that "worked for them".
Moving forward - particularly through times of change and challenge - inspires us to innovate, create and adapt. This is how ALL progress is made. So, I want to close with the advice of science fiction author, Robert Henlein: "Always listen to the experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it anyway." You see, they might be "the expert". But so, potentially, are you. So, don't listen too intently. Create new solutions, instead!!
|
| What's Going On With Rolfe |
| News & Events |
- Rolfe is in Malaysia delivering the keynote address at the HRD Summit.
- Rolfe inspires North Carolina Association Certified Public Accountants how to be "Tougher Than The Times".
- Rolfe will deliver "Tougher Than The Times, Thriving Through Change and Challenge" to VTIA VA Telecomm Industry Assn on May 19th in Richmond, Virginia.
- Rolfe delivered the opening keynote for VSAE in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Rolfe wants to connect with you on LinkedIn. Click here to join us.
- Rolfe equips the "BEST CAR DEALERSHIP IN THE NATION" to get Tougher Than the Times. While other dealers are closing their doors, Freedom Ford is building their business to include the new purchase of Phillips Volvo in Virginia Beach.
- Rolfe partners with Congressman Randy Forbes to write a ground breaking book, Run to the Roar: A Fable of Choice, Courage, and Hope, due out this Spring. Be sure to visit Rolfe's blog for more details.
|
|
| |
Rolfe Carawan
Carawan Global Communications & Consulting
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Feb 01, 2010
Tougher than the Times: Happy As You Choose To Be
Dec 20, 2009
Tougher than the Times: The Gift
Nov 19, 2009
Tougher than the Times: Is Encouragement the Solution You Need?
Oct 15, 2009
Tougher than the Times: The SAM Effect
Sep 08, 2009
Tougher than the Times: The Key to Profitable Relationships
Jul 30, 2009
Tougher Than the Times: Thoughts from a Recovering Pessimist
Jun 25, 2009
Tougher Than the Times: Leading in Tough Times
May 15, 2009
Tougher than the Times: The Trouble with Experts
Mar 31, 2009
Tougher than the Times: Breakdown to Breakthrough
Feb 27, 2009
Tougher than the Times: What in the World is Going On?
Jan 28, 2009
Tougher than the Times: What to Do- Do the Opposite
Dec 30, 2008
Tougher than the Times: Going All the Way to the Top
Nov 27, 2008
Tougher than the Times: Thanks and Gratitude
Oct 20, 2008
Tougher than the Times: Fighting Fear and Serving
|
|
