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A thread on knowing one's lane:
1. A few years ago I worked @Heritage and I did a radio interview on marriage and SCOTUS. I was a policy analyst, not a lawyer. I was asked a legal question by the interviewer and thought to myself, "Why, of course, I'll wade into the law."
1. A few years ago I worked @Heritage and I did a radio interview on marriage and SCOTUS. I was a policy analyst, not a lawyer. I was asked a legal question by the interviewer and thought to myself, "Why, of course, I'll wade into the law."
2. I gave my answer, which, of course, I thought was brilliant, nuanced, and correct. Little did I know that my boss was in her office listening to my live interview.
3. After the interview finished, my boss called me into her office and asked me how the interview went. I recall telling her I thought it went great.
4. It was at that point she said she also listened to it. I grew a little nervous, paused, and thought to myself, "Well, I hope she thought I was as awesome as I think I was." She asked a question: "What's your job title?" Me: "Policy analyst."
5. Next question: "Tell me: What law school did you attend?" Me: "I never went to law school." Her: "Correct, you're not a lawyer." Next question: "Do you know all the legal background of this case?" Me: "No." Next question: "What's your expertise then?" Me: "Policy."
6. Next question: "Why did you think you had the competency to answer a question in an area you have no schooling in, nor know the legal background of, and are generally unfamiliar with?" Me: "Well, I was asked the question and thought I would give an answer."
7. Next question: "But should you have?" Me: "Probably not." Her: "Correct. You're not a lawyer, so stay out of the legal lane. Stick with what you know."
It was an early, important lesson I learned in my career that has forever stayed with me. Why share it?
It was an early, important lesson I learned in my career that has forever stayed with me. Why share it?
8. Because I'm noticing a growing cultural trend of presumed omnicompetence—the ability to speak proficiently on all subjects.
Few of us can do this. I've given a decade's worth of attention to only a *tiny few* areas where I can speak with a degree of specialized knowledge.
Few of us can do this. I've given a decade's worth of attention to only a *tiny few* areas where I can speak with a degree of specialized knowledge.
9. I say all of this because it is very, very freeing to not comment on all issues. Self-imposed silence is a gift of wisdom and speaking unawares can needlessly escalate the situation and convolute important conversations, where only the loudest voices rise to the top.
10. Now, there's a big gap between never saying anything and saying everything about anything. I'm not advocating that only Trusted Experts
comment, but to simply question, at the moment, whether saying something adds to the static or the substance of the issue at hand.
Fin.
comment, but to simply question, at the moment, whether saying something adds to the static or the substance of the issue at hand.Fin.