Chapter 16
When Experts Overstep Their Bounds
A PROCEEDING OF SOME AMBASSADORS I observe in my travels this custom, ever to learn something from the information of those with whom I confer (which is the best school of all others), and to put my company upon those subjects they are the best able to speak of:— “Basti al nocchiero ragionar de’ venti, Al bifolco dei tori; et le sue piaghe Conti’l guerrier; conti’l pastor gli armenti.” [“Let the sailor content himself with talking of the winds; the cowherd of his oxen; the soldier of his wounds; the shepherd of his flocks.”—An Italian translation of Propertius, ii. i,…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Expertise Drift
Draw three columns: 'What I'm Actually Good At', 'What I Give Advice About', and 'What I Should Stop Commenting On'. Fill each column honestly, then look for patterns. Where are you drifting from your real strengths? Where are others asking for your opinion outside your wheelhouse?
Consider:
- •Notice if your 'advice' column is longer than your 'good at' column
- •Consider whether you're protecting time for developing your actual strengths
- •Think about which conversations drain your energy versus energize you
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you gave confident advice about something you didn't really understand. What drove that impulse? How might you handle a similar situation differently now?
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