If knowledge, expertise, and training do not protect against overconfidence, what does? There is one thing that everyone can do. Research advises us to embrace empathy and understanding. Consider the reasons that you may be wrong. Reducing overconfidence in yourself or others, requires us to ask: How are we mistaken? What conditions might my conclusions be incorrect? These questions are hard because we generally enter discussions attempting to prove we are right. Engaging in thinking exercises that we might fail brings up our vulnerabilities. Being vulnerable reduces our overconfidence and increases our sense of humility with our expertise.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Skill
Skill is knowing all of the details related to complete a particular task and being able to execute them well. Expertise--deep skill--goes beyond knowledge and execution. It includes timing, the ability to perform the skills under pressure, in adverse environments, and the ability to improvise when necessary.
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