Box Checkers Don’t Get the Value of Expertise
Task masters like to check the box. Box checkers often forget or fail to understand one important thing.
The value of expertise.
People sometimes view education as a box checked. Get the certificate, get the degree, check the box.
In your workplace boxes are often checked. Did the data get entered, the messages sent, responses provided, and the calendar updated? Yup, boxes checked.
It can go much deeper.
What do you have a budget for? Office supplies? OK, great let’s spend some money. Budget spent; box checked.
There are boxes checked everywhere.
When it comes to employee growth, development, and career success you may want to pay closer attention before you just check the box.
Box Checkers
Expertise has value.
If it didn’t, anyone could fix their car. Anyone could build a house, fix their computer, or understand what is wrong when they feel ill.
They could solve their own legal problems, repair a dental cavity, and cut their own hair.
It is true for workplace culture development, employee training and coaching, and for the technical aspects of every job.
That free webinar? Not much with real value is free. Someone is paying or it is a sales pitch. Is there some value? Sure maybe, but it is likely very limited.
You can probably learn how to make a smoothie, change a setting in your software, or refinish an old wooden cabinet by watching quick video or reading a blog post. Yet, you probably haven’t mastered the craft.
People can stand in front of a room, or get on a Zoom session, and talk about a PowerPoint to the audience. Are they an expert?
If your goal is to check the box, you can consider it is already done.
If the anticipated outcome is a change in the results, a gain in knowledge or skill, or the timely production of an error free product, you may need an expert.
Skills and expertise are built by learning and practicing across time.
If you’re going to skydive would you want your parachute packed by someone who just watched a video titled, “How to pack a parachute”?
Can it be done?
Yes, box checked.
You’re now good to go.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
