In the quest for success, seeking guidance from experts may not always be the key to unlocking one’s full potential. A recent study at Northwestern University challenged the common belief that learning from experts leads to better academic performance. Surprisingly, data revealed that students who took introductory classes with expert instructors ended up with poorer grades in subsequent courses.
The curse of knowledge was identified as a significant obstacle, as experts often struggle to remember the challenges of being a beginner. Even iconic figures like Einstein faced difficulties translating their advanced knowledge into effective teaching. The more one knows, the harder it becomes to comprehend the perspective of someone unfamiliar with the subject.
Expert knowledge, often implicit and tacit, complicates the process of teaching fundamental concepts. Even skilled individuals, such as golfers and wine aficionados, find it challenging to articulate their techniques. The study emphasized that those who excel in a particular field may struggle to teach the basics.
While personalized guidance is valuable, relying on a single mentor may not provide all the right directions. A study on lawyers aiming for partnership highlighted the importance of multiple mentors for career advancement. Different mentors offer unique insights, collectively contributing to a successful journey.
Learning from multiple guides is an iterative and collaborative process. Rather than blindly following leads, the goal is to explore potential routes together. The approach involves collecting “pins” – key landmarks and turning points from the experiences of various mentors.
Retracing routes by inquiring about crossroads, skills acquired, advice taken or ignored, and changes made, helps make implicit knowledge explicit. Although the collected pins won’t create a precise map, they provide a compass to gauge the right direction.
Starting the journey doesn’t require an exact map; the focus is on progress and the direction being right. In the complex landscape of personal and professional development, the art of learning from multiple guides emerges as a valuable strategy for navigating success.