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Prepare for Success – Don’t get Expertitis

October 6, 2014 · by Bob Faw

Our brains do some weird things when we are successful. It can pay to prepare for it. Especially, because we can get what I call “expertitis.”

I have a confession to make. After getting some really rough feedback about ten years ago I realized that I had come down with a bad case of expertitis. I had become successful as a change agent, and at helping people transform. This success unfortunately went to my head (which swelled a few sizes). I began to lecture people who had no interest in my advice. I was showing the first two symptoms below. No surprise, my success rate (and popularity) began to decline.

Symptoms: Expertitis is that dreaded egotistical state that shows itself in one or more of the following behaviors:

  1. Knowledge bias: (pompous chest puffing-up) “I’m an expert in one area which of course means that I’m an expert in a bunch of areas.”
  2. Teacher bias: (unwanted professorial air) “Of course you want my advice! Let me tell you how to do it right“
  3. Specialist jargon: (speaking in terms no average person can understand – see the urban dictionary for more.)
  4. Narcissistic bias: (with nose up in the air) “I’m so smart that I deserve better treatment than others.”

My solutions to priming by brain to be more realistic and helpful were simple, if not easy.

  1. First, I posted above my desk the following quote.  “Focus on learning, not knowing”.
  2. Then, I made sure with every program that my goal was to “Add as much value as possible, rather than show my expertise.” 

I’d love to hear what you do to balance yourself and prevent expertitis.

Also, I love learning about other brain geeks that use research to help us all learn how to work and live better.

I’ve followed Dr. Srini Pillay for a while. Here are his great suggestions for counteracting expertitis in the Harvard Business Review blog. The Unexpected Consequences of Success

srini-pillay

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Culture eats strategy for breakfast!

May 20, 2014 · by Bob Faw

Logo - Best DNAI enjoyed being interviewed on the Terri Levin Show about how to make sure that the strategy of your company syncs with your culture. I refer to Best DNA and how being clear about your company’s Best DNA helps you create strategy and culture that support each other.Podcast-Logo-250

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Feedback biting you in the …backside? Try feedforward

July 13, 2013 · by Bob Faw

Feedforward is usually far easier to give than feedback. Most of the time it is more helpful: specific, clear, actionable, and positive. Learn what it is, and how to do it well. Improve relationships at work and home. Achieve success more easily.

This video is Bob Faw teaching how to use feedforward, in performance management, and elsewhere in life.

 

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Energize Action Worksheet

April 27, 2013 · by Bob Faw

If you have the book, this will help you transform.
Ignite your passion & performance
with energizing ideas and plans

Click on the images below to download a copy of the Energize worksheet:

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PDF

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Word Doc

 

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Get your A.C.T. together

April 27, 2013 · by Bob Faw

When you have the whole A.C.T. team (Artist, Caveman and Thinker) working together, you are at your best. You can tell you are in this space when you have the following characteristics:

  • You feel calm about whatever challenge you’re facing, but energized enough to make a difference. This means your Caveman is calm.
  • You can see more than one perspective on the challenge; it’s not just “my way or the highway”. Understanding multiple points of view shows your Thinker is engaged.
  • You use new approaches to the challenge and even want to try new things. This means your Artist is energized.

GetYourACTTogether copy When you have your “A.C.T.” together, you can make your best decisions. You will be flexible, “change-ready,” have less stress, and be a more positive influence on other people. You’ll also be increasingly likable the more you are in this mode. The faster you can get your A.C.T. team to work together, the more you’ll enjoy your circumstances. You’ll increase passion and performance for a fulfilling and successful life.

Read more excerpts or buy the book.

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