Robert Shiller, a Yale economist, is probably best known for having written Irrational Exuberance—the 2004 book that was prescient in foretelling the nation’s debilitating housing crisis. He attributes the approach he took in his book to advice his father had given him—namely to “pursue things that sound [and feel] right to you”.
Shiller notes in Fortune (Dec 12, 2011) , “I said in the preface I was worried that the boom in home prices might collapse,bring on bankruptcy in both business and households, and lead to a world recession. I remember thinking that this sounds kind of flaky–nobody else is saying this. I can’t prove it, this could be embarrassing. But I learned from my father not to care what other people think. This was my book, and I believed this, so I just said it.”
I really relate to Shiller…having taken on some sacred cows myself in The Power of Professionalism.
Like Shiller, there are aspects of The Power of Professionalism that I can’t prove. And, like Shiller, no one in (or outside) of my field was advocating what I was. Yes, I believed…so, like Shiller, I just said what I had to say. It felt right to me.
Turns out, a lot of people (many experts in my field) believed in the ideas that I was advancing. That’s really validating; but also can lend itself to an inflated ego (believing one’s press clippings usually proves self-defeating). The social acclaim and ego rush of being right (when that’s the case) isn’t the point.
What is the point is how your point-of-view helps people or things that are bigger than you. It’s all about Mind-Set #2 (being a part of something bigger than yourself).
Got an idea or point-of-view that you think warrants advancing? First, do your homework. Think deeply about it. Scrutinize it from every angle.Tear it apart. Challenge your assumptions. Then make ‘little bets‘ (see the book of the same name by my friend Peter Sims) …test the premise out with friends, with adversaries…write about it. Soon enough you’ll know whether or not you’re on to something.
You’ll know it’s right when it sounds and feels right to you. At that point, if you’ve still got something to say, go ahead….say it!
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