It’s guest post Monday!!! Today’s post is by Rob Sorbo who blogs about Christian life and missions at RobSorbo.com. Make sure to check out his blog and follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If you would like to be featured on the guest post Monday please click here.
I am an avid reader and learner; constantly filling my head with as much information as I can soak in. As I process through all of the new information floating through my head, I form opinions, make connections, and (hopefully!) get a little bit smarter. However, whenever I want to share or apply my new knowledge on my blog or at my job, I struggle with an insecurity I call the Artificial Intelligence Fallacy (AIF).
You’re dealing with AIF when you say or think things like: Why should people listen to me? Why should people trust that this insight is worth anything? Do I really know what I’m talking/blogging about? I don’t have a degree in this subject, I bet I don’t know what I’m talking about! I don’t have any clout, on one will listen to me!
The first thing to know about AIF is that it is a fallacy. You don’t have artificial intelligence. The knowledge that’s sitting up in your head is real; there’s absolutely nothing artificial about it!
Another thing worth addressing is your source of information. I want to empower you to use what you are learning; however, I don’t want you to empower you to use misinformation! Check your sources and get second opinions, but when you know you have learned good stuff, then you need to make sure that AIF doesn’t slow you down.
Does AIF hold you back? Are you scared that you are lacking clout in some subject so no one should listen to you? Here are three tips to help you overcome your AI fears.
Overcoming The Artificial Intelligence Fallacy
1. Establish a Precedent. If you are consistently a valuable coworker, then I’ll be more likely to listen to you regardless of the topic. If you consistently slack off on the job, dump work on your others, or arrive late and leave early, I probably wouldn’t respect your ideas even if you have a Ph.D. from Harvard.
Let’s look at Apple as an example. When the iPhone and iPad were first released, people stood in long lines to buy them. Apple had set such a high precedent with its other products that people knew the iPhone and iPad would be good before they ever laid hands on them.
2. Invest In Others. Take the time to encourage those around you, help them with projects, and be available to their questions. When you do this your clout will grow, which will cause them to respect your insight. Loyalty works both ways–if you value others, they’ll value you.
3. Become A Solutions Person. You have a head full of ideas, and now it’s time to put that knowledge to work. As a respected member of your tribe, others will stand behind your ideas and be willing to give them a try. Being an solutions person is tough if you’re dealing with AIF; however, one of the best remedies for AIF is seeing your ideas succeed.
Talk To Me
What does establishing a precedent look like in your line of work? Have you had any relationships where someone really took time to invest in you? Did that help make you more successful?
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.