Comments on: Never Trust an Expert http://www.steveshapiro.com/2007/04/16/never-trust-an-expert/ Steve shares his unconventional approach on Business Innovation, Creativity, Goals and Critical Thinking Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:12:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Stephen Shapiro http://www.steveshapiro.com/2007/04/16/never-trust-an-expert/#comment-24406 Stephen Shapiro Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:55:52 +0000 http://www.goalfree.com/newsite/2007/04/16/never-trust-an-expert/#comment-24406 Thanks for the comments. It's interesting that my "I don't know" comment struck a chord. I love what you said, Gareth, "Never listen to an expert who does not listen." If that were the case, I wonder how many experts would be left to listen to. For me, every interaction with a client (or individual) is an opportunity for personal and professional growth. David, as you point out, we all have opinion, but they are just that - opinions. And I am completely open to changing mine. Thanks for the comments.

It’s interesting that my “I don’t know” comment struck a chord. I love what you said, Gareth, “Never listen to an expert who does not listen.” If that were the case, I wonder how many experts would be left to listen to.

For me, every interaction with a client (or individual) is an opportunity for personal and professional growth. David, as you point out, we all have opinion, but they are just that – opinions. And I am completely open to changing mine.

]]> By: Gareth Garvey http://www.steveshapiro.com/2007/04/16/never-trust-an-expert/#comment-24405 Gareth Garvey Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:50:49 +0000 http://www.goalfree.com/newsite/2007/04/16/never-trust-an-expert/#comment-24405 Steve, Your post reminded me of the time, many years -ago when I first became a (junior) management consultant. One of the biggest problems with new consultants is that they believe their employer has employed them as an expert and also believe experts always have the answer. I was no exception but fortunately learned the lesson early before I did any damage to a client. The mark of a real expert is that they are able and willing to say 'I don't know'. The sort of 'expert' who is not able to say 'I don't know' is also teh sort that talks all the time and does not listen. I could add the advice - never listen to an expert who does not listen. Steve,
Your post reminded me of the time, many years -ago when I first became a (junior) management consultant. One of the biggest problems with new consultants is that they believe their employer has employed them as an expert and also believe experts always have the answer. I was no exception but fortunately learned the lesson early before I did any damage to a client. The mark of a real expert is that they are able and willing to say ‘I don’t know’. The sort of ‘expert’ who is not able to say ‘I don’t know’ is also teh sort that talks all the time and does not listen. I could add the advice – never listen to an expert who does not listen.

]]> By: Steve Roesler http://www.steveshapiro.com/2007/04/16/never-trust-an-expert/#comment-24404 Steve Roesler Wed, 18 Apr 2007 19:27:43 +0000 http://www.goalfree.com/newsite/2007/04/16/never-trust-an-expert/#comment-24404 Nice touch, Stephen. For the life of me I can't completely understand why more people don't just say "I don't know." Perhaps the search for formulaic answers is a quest for "The" checklist of success in a given area. I've read little that didn't have some worthwhile, underlying principle. But the value lies in how we personally figure out how to apply a variation of it to our personal situations. Keep writing... Nice touch, Stephen. For the life of me I can’t completely understand why more people don’t just say “I don’t know.”

Perhaps the search for formulaic answers is a quest for “The” checklist of success in a given area. I’ve read little that didn’t have some worthwhile, underlying principle. But the value lies in how we personally figure out how to apply a variation of it to our personal situations.

Keep writing…

]]> By: David Zinger http://www.steveshapiro.com/2007/04/16/never-trust-an-expert/#comment-24403 David Zinger Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:02:39 +0000 http://www.goalfree.com/newsite/2007/04/16/never-trust-an-expert/#comment-24403 Stephen: I was reading your post when one of the things that really stood out for me was the honesty and integrity that is embedded in goal free living. How often are we willing to say, "I don't know." How often are we willing to say, "this is my way but what is your way?" I catch strands of eastern thought in your approach: As the Buddha was dying, Ananda asked who would be their teacher after death. The Buddha replied to his disciple… "Be lamps unto yourselves..." Thanks for shedding light on honest methods in living. David Zinger Stephen:

I was reading your post when one of the things that really stood out for me was the honesty and integrity that is embedded in goal free living.

How often are we willing to say, “I don’t know.”

How often are we willing to say, “this is my way but what is your way?”

I catch strands of eastern thought in your approach: As the Buddha was dying, Ananda asked who would be their teacher after death. The Buddha replied to his disciple… “Be lamps unto yourselves…”

Thanks for shedding light on honest methods in living.

David Zinger

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