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.

Richard (Dick) Hamming is one of the great minds of the 20th century. Below is an attempt to capture that wisdom in one shareable place. Here you will find a short introduction to Dick Hamming, featured work, three exercises/lessons from him (and ways to apply them), as well as a selection of quotes.

Problems today are too complex to be solved by one specialized discipline. It takes multiple perspectives and skills from every discipline to solve crises like homelessness, global warming, and overpopulation. Throughout the 20th century, ever-greater specialization was encouraged, but now? There is an increase in transdisciplinary solutions such as nanotechnology, which blends molecular biology, biochemistry, protein chemistry, and other specialties.

Consistency is a controversial term. Consistency in performance is not the same thing uniformity. To be consistent means we are agile enough to perform consistently under pressure amidst changing conditions, in any setting. To be successful, identify and communicate points of connection (shared goals, priorities, values) that transcend differences and enable us to build relationships and to work together effectively.

To grow and innovate, we must successfully manage in between short- and long-term planning, fast and slow thinking—certainty and uncertainty; we must adapt between these modes in any situation (when adaptability is needed). To hold our certainty lightly to learn is the ultimate flexible tension.

Many people think they know their values. They’ll choose health, community, or some other value. But when we think of our values, we tend to think of ourselves aspirationally, and not how we really live day to day. If you want to know your real values, think about what got you in and out of the greatest peaks and valleys of your life.

Friendship, bonding, cooperation, and cohesion are essential core qualities enabling success. How? They inform us we cannot become successful unless we work well with others. Earnestness binds friendship, bonding, cooperation, and cohesion. Therefore, being earnest is essential for reaching success.

When we demonstrate all the other skills—competence, practice, cohesion, initiative—we increase our potential for success. But if we aren’t driven toward greatness, we won’t be our best. Along with our basic skills, composure and confidence are building blocks for greatness. With greatness (however we define it) as the primary goal, we can align our peak performance when our peak performance is needed.