Tag: Fired

  • Confidence vs Competence

    Confidence Vs Competence Cartoon

    As promised here is the cartoon inspired by the book The Invisible Gorilla by Dan Simon and Chris Chabris.  What does this cartoon have to do with the video I posted on Wednesday.  Nothing.  haha  I took my inspiration from a different part of the book.

    Charles Darwin observed that “ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge” In face, those who are the least skilled are the most likely to think better of themselves than they should – they disproportionately experience the illusion of confidence. (page 86)

    It is because of this behavioral trait that the Friggin Loon is able to constantly post a stream of stories on stupid criminals.  Their confidence in their ability outweighs their knowledge on how to actually pull off the crime.

    In group dynamics, especially at work, most of us have heard the cream will rise to the top.  But it doesn’t.  How many times have you walked away from a meeting knowing that the direction the group decided to take is the wrong way but you felt you didn’t have the power or the influence to change it.  Next time, you might need to jump out there and respond first.  In one experiment the authors did they found that a group trying to solve a hard math problem went with the first answer offered up 94% of the time.

    …group leadership wsa determined largely by confidence.  People with dominant personalities tend to exhibit greater self-confidence, and due to the illusion of confidence, others tend to trust and follow people who speak with confidence.  If you offer your opinion early and often, people will take your confidence as an indicator of ability, even if you are no better than your peers. (page 98)

    So how many of you “know” of superiors who are only in their position because of their own self confidence versus their skill?  How many of you think YOU should be in that position?  And then, of course, is your confidence in being able to do that job equal to your own competence?

    *** Side note:  I was so underconfident that I was spelling “competent” correctly, that I looked it up at least 3 times in writing this post.

    *** Side note 2:  I got rid of the Digg button below and added a Google +1 button for those using it.  For those who are not and need an invite, let me know.

     

     

  • Editorial Cartoon: Juan Williams Fired from NPR

    Bearman Cartoons Juan Williams Fired from NPR

    Obviously it is newsworthy if I post on a Friday instead of my regular Sunday and Wednesday (did any of you realize I had a schedule?)

    It seems Juan Williams of National Public Radio fame had spent too much time over at Fox News commenting on the news of the day and has now lost his contract with NPR.  For those readers outside the country, NPR is funded in part by the government and some will say it is the only way liberal radio can survive.  Of course Fox News is deemed a branch of the right wing conservative movement so you can see the rub.

    It is interesting that NPR would use the excuse that their reporters and analysts are not supposed to provide personal opinion but rather merely ask questions.  You can make your opinion known simply by editorial decisions on editing, who to interview and how you ask questions.

    In the end, Juan ends up with a $2 million contract from Fox News so we won’t be seeing him on the unemployment line.