The elusive aspect of knowledge work is that many people cannot see the differences that skill bears on problems. We were able to differentiate more easily with physical challenges. If a guy is stronger than you and can pick up more, then moving items will be easier for the stronger person. It is self-evident.
When a person can see an answer faster than you, we have to deal with something entirely different. It is the invisible aspect of smarts and talent that is harder to measure. If you are a person who thinks they can figure out everything, then ego may blind you to your inefficiencies.
I remember working with a client that was trying to set up a system. It is something I have done over thousands of hours, so it would only take me a couple hours. After months, they put something together, but it wasn’t very pretty. I can applaud the effort. It was not necessarily a great use of time or getting to real answers, however.
If you are a novice, you have to go through a steep learning curve for knowledge that is especially technical. It is why we do not shift careers mid-age so easily.
However, if you are an expert, you have knowledge around core concepts. Those core concepts are what allows you to solve the most specific of problems with the nuances that accompany every new twist and challenge.
Here’s the point. Recognize your limitations and get out of the way of experts. It will save you money, time and grief. Just because we can all access the same tools does not mean that everyone will achieve the same results. When someone has paid the brain bill, has talent and skills then a lack of recognition of other people’s talents often causes you to get in your own way. Not good strategy.
