The Hidden Drawback of Expertise: Overcoming a Narrow Mindset

 

Today's episode is about the problems with expertise and how to overcome them.

In this episode of the Purpose & Profit Podcast, Carly and Dave dive into some of the potential limitations of expertise and how this can sometimes threaten to hold us back when it comes to breaking ground in new areas as a nonprofit organization or a for-profit business.

Together, they define and characterize what Dave calls an “Outside Mindset,” as well as examine the relationship between humility and curiosity in fostering innovation. They glean insight from David Epstein's book, "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World,” as well as Liz Wiseman’s book, “Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work,” and share ways that non-profits and for-profits alike are able to grow by overcoming narrow mindsets that can come from expertise.

Episode Topics:

  • How expertise is often perceived as a precursor to innovation

  • The definition and characteristics of an Outside Mindset

  • The relationship between humility and curiosity in fostering innovation

  • How humility and curiosity counteract the tendency of expertise to narrow perception

We hope you enjoy our conversation!

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Season Four of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:

Virtuous

Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at www.virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at www.virtuous.org/checklist.

Masterworks

At Masterworks, their mission is to help you accomplish yours. They are a full-service agency for Christian organizations. Their emphasis on both mission & mastery makes us leading experts in moving hearts & minds to act. Masterworks has over 30 years of experience serving organizations through strategy, direct mail, digital, analysis, creative, & technology. To learn more about Masterworks click here.

Imago Consulting

Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at Imago Consulting website and subscribe here.

Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

 
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8 Practices at the Intersection of Innovation and Impact with Gabe Cooper