Work Archives

What Are the Disadvantages of Job Specialization?

What are some of the disadvantages of job specialization? How does being an expert in one area narrow your perspective? David Epstein, the author of Range, says that one of the big downfalls of being a specialist in anything is that it can narrow your perspective. He says that the more details you know about something, the more confident you’ll be in your opinion of that matter, even if your opinion is extreme. This overconfidence can lead to a number of issues. Here is what Epstein has to say about job specialization.

Incentive-Caused Bias: Definition and Examples

The 25 Cognitive Biases: Incentive Caused Bias

What is incentive-caused bias? How do you prevent reward bias? Incentive-caused bias is the tendency of people to maximize their rewards within any incentive scheme. When people gain rewards for acting in a certain way, they will find it difficult to act otherwise, even when doing so would violate the intent of their obligations. You can prevent reward bias by designing incentive schemes that cannot be easily manipulated. Read on to learn more about incentive-caused bias.

The 3 Common Characteristics of a Good Business

What are the major characteristics of a good business? Why is Toyota an excellent example of a good business? A decisive competitive advantage, well-designed incentive systems for employees, and a reputable brand backed by product quality are all key characteristics of a good business. Toyota is an excellent example of a good business because its efficient manufacturing processes give it a competitive advantage in the market, its well-designed incentive systems reward employees that contribute to improvements in the company’s processes, and it has established and preserved a brand reputation for reliability and quality. Read on to understand more about the

The Link Between Team Diversity and Innovation

How are team diversity and innovation connected? How can working abroad increase one’s chances of making an impactful discovery? In his book Range, David Epstein discusses the link between team diversity and innovation. Epstein says that the more diverse the backgrounds of the team members, the greater the chance they will make a discovery or innovation Here’s David Epstein’s argument.

Giving Feedback Across Cultures: Tips & Strategies

What is the key to delivering clear yet considerate feedback? How does feedback differ across cultures? The ability to deliver feedback on someone’s performance in a way the receiver understands is essential to both your and the feedback receiver’s success. If you’re too indirect, the receiver might not understand its content and if you’re too direct, you may come across as cruel or incompetent. In this article, we’ll look at the two main ways cultures give feedback and present some strategies for giving feedback across cultures.

How to Talk About Yourself: Tips for Telling Your Story

Do you hate talking about yourself? Why do you need to be willing to open up to others to make a connection? In her book The Fine Art of Small Talk, Debra Fine says that conversations should be balanced, meaning you can’t just keep asking your partner questions. Thankfully, you don’t have to go into conversations unprepared. Here is Fine’s advice on how to talk about yourself and tips on how to tell your story.

David Epstein’s Criticism of Grit by Angela Duckworth

Why does David Epstein think that Angela Duckworth’s book Grit is wrong? What are his issues with the “Grit Scale”? In his book Range, David Epstein gives Grit criticism for lumping together persistence and commitment. He goes further to say that too much commitment can actually be harmful rather than helpful. Here is how Grit gets it wrong, according to Epstein.

David Epstein: Generalist vs. Specialist

Is it better to have a wide range of skills or be an expert in one specialty? What are the downsides of being an expert in one field? In his book Range, David Epstein explains why, contrary to traditional belief, it’s better to have a wide variety of general skills rather than being an expert in one specialty. There are three major reasons why the specialist path falls short. Read more to learn about the generalist vs. specialist conundrum.

Why Becoming an Expert in One Field Is a Bad Idea

Why should you be a generalist rather than becoming an expert in one specific thing? Why do specialists struggle so much in the modern world? In his book Range, David Epstein explains that the modern world is too unpredictable to just rely on one skill. With such an unstable environment, you should be developing a range of skills instead of becoming an expert in one. Continue reading to learn why you shouldn’t aim to become an expert.

Angela Duckworth: Your Grit Level Changes Over Time

How is it possible for your grit level to change? What factors lead to changes in your grit level? In her book Grit, Angela Duckworth describes grit as a trait that combines passion and perseverance. She says that your level of grit matters more than natural talent or intelligence when it comes to success. However, Duckworth also explains that your grit level is not set and can change over the span of your life. Here’s how your grit level can change over time, according to Angela Duckworth.