One of the greatest privileges I had in 12 years at Xero was getting to work with and observe up-close, some of the smartest and most able people in the world.
Loved this piece Gary, and made me smile. Just wish I'd cottoned on to lifelong learning a tad earlier. One little counter balance; it's always easy to think 'someone else could do this or that better than me (because someone always can) and therefore easy to slip into 'why choose me'....but it is worth everyone reminding themselves too that 'Whilst I might not be THE best, I am a bloomin' great at this or that, and am very much likely to do an amazing job'. 😁
Good point, Dan. Maybe using the term "smart" confused my overall point about ability, regardless of discipline. Talented, creative, able; whatever it is, I'd bet the scale goes to 20.
This opens the question, "what is smart" and "what is a high achiever?" . Back in the day (late 1980's) my Psych 101 text book had an introduction to each chapter by Issac Asimov. On the intelligence chapter he recounted one day his car wouldn't start so he called the mechanic. On inspection the mechanic pointed out a cable had come out of the distributor (I think) and it was so obvious he couldn't believe Asimov hadn't noticed and fixed it himself. It occurred to Asimov, a member of MENSA, that there is a difference between intelligence as we measure it, and being smart. There are different forms of 'smarts' and we limit what we recognise as smart to our detriment. For example, in Australia we are starting to recognise that maybe the Aboriginal way managing our bush might be better and result in less destructive wildfires.
As for creatives, check out Lucy, a vision impaired girl with neurological challenges but plays the piano in a way that will bring tears to your eyes.
Thanks, Grant. I think you can take either to mean whatever ability or skill you may choose to measure, and however far you think you've developed or built it, there's likely a whole other level beyond that you didn't expect to be there.
Great insight Gary. As someone who has been in small business and run a small business networking business I've seen plenty of ex-corporates with impressive resumes go into business for themselves, only to fail without the support of the legacy, systems and people they were used to in corporate. Saying you are XYZ Manager of ABC company opens doors and gets positional respect, respect you haven't earned yourself but the company has. In corporate you are surrounded by supports, you make financial decisions knowing you will still get paid, you're standing on the shoulders of those who went before you. In small business, you are mostly on your own, financial decisions can mean the difference between paying rent or not, you are learning to walk and its' uncomfortable and scary. Much like your experience, this is when people find out where their actual competency sits and most, in my experience, go back to the safety, and ease, of corporate.
Loved this piece Gary, and made me smile. Just wish I'd cottoned on to lifelong learning a tad earlier. One little counter balance; it's always easy to think 'someone else could do this or that better than me (because someone always can) and therefore easy to slip into 'why choose me'....but it is worth everyone reminding themselves too that 'Whilst I might not be THE best, I am a bloomin' great at this or that, and am very much likely to do an amazing job'. 😁
Thanks, Karen. That's a great addition to this point. You definitely don't have to be perfect.
Interesting perspective. But are people with creativity, drive and a different lens just as important as super smarts.
Good point, Dan. Maybe using the term "smart" confused my overall point about ability, regardless of discipline. Talented, creative, able; whatever it is, I'd bet the scale goes to 20.
This opens the question, "what is smart" and "what is a high achiever?" . Back in the day (late 1980's) my Psych 101 text book had an introduction to each chapter by Issac Asimov. On the intelligence chapter he recounted one day his car wouldn't start so he called the mechanic. On inspection the mechanic pointed out a cable had come out of the distributor (I think) and it was so obvious he couldn't believe Asimov hadn't noticed and fixed it himself. It occurred to Asimov, a member of MENSA, that there is a difference between intelligence as we measure it, and being smart. There are different forms of 'smarts' and we limit what we recognise as smart to our detriment. For example, in Australia we are starting to recognise that maybe the Aboriginal way managing our bush might be better and result in less destructive wildfires.
As for creatives, check out Lucy, a vision impaired girl with neurological challenges but plays the piano in a way that will bring tears to your eyes.
https://youtu.be/WWFJ39nn6Rw?si=l7urUdA91WaDRXUU
Thanks, Grant. I think you can take either to mean whatever ability or skill you may choose to measure, and however far you think you've developed or built it, there's likely a whole other level beyond that you didn't expect to be there.
Great insight Gary. As someone who has been in small business and run a small business networking business I've seen plenty of ex-corporates with impressive resumes go into business for themselves, only to fail without the support of the legacy, systems and people they were used to in corporate. Saying you are XYZ Manager of ABC company opens doors and gets positional respect, respect you haven't earned yourself but the company has. In corporate you are surrounded by supports, you make financial decisions knowing you will still get paid, you're standing on the shoulders of those who went before you. In small business, you are mostly on your own, financial decisions can mean the difference between paying rent or not, you are learning to walk and its' uncomfortable and scary. Much like your experience, this is when people find out where their actual competency sits and most, in my experience, go back to the safety, and ease, of corporate.