In this episode, Andrew delves into the game-changing power of focusing on the process ("How") behind the content ("What"). Learn how this shift can reshape your work, relationships, and even your approach to problem-solving. Through real-world examples, learn how breaking the curse of knowledge can lead to exceptional results – including practical tips on creating space, embracing silence, and finding the balance between structure and freedom.
Hey everyone, welcome back to episode number 31 of Guidelines. Today, let's dive into the concept of "how versus what" – a transformative idea that can reshape our work and relationships.
The "how versus what" concept is all about understanding the power of focusing on the process rather than just the content. It's like playing with the method behind the scenes that makes the whole show work. I often share this concept with my clients, and it's had a profound impact. Let me tell you about a client who was thrilled after grasping this concept.
He overheard someone explaining the difference between how and what in the context of a specific challenge their team was facing. This revelation changed his perspective completely. This concept is like a lens or framework that I use daily – its importance is hard to overstate.
Moving on, let's look at an example involving a physics professor named Eric Majeure. He noticed that despite being at Harvard, his class was scoring similarly to a community college on a standardized physics test. He focused on explaining a challenging problem to his class, believing that it would improve their performance. However, his lecture left the students more confused. In a moment of desperation, he told them to talk amongst themselves. Surprisingly, this led to an improvement in their scores.
This phenomenon can be attributed to the curse of knowledge and competence. The more expertise we gain, the harder it is to relate to beginners' challenges. We tend to over-focus on disseminating information (the what) rather than creating an experiential learning process (the how). Majeure's breakthrough was in realizing that the students struggling with the same questions could help each other.
To apply this in your own work, consider creating space for learning. Shift from being an information provider to facilitating an experience. Just as Majeure enlisted his students in co-creating the learning process, you can engage your audience, whether it's in small groups, one-on-one sessions, or large presentations.
When working with individuals, resist the urge to fill in the blanks or provide immediate answers. Creating silence and space is essential. This technique challenges you to walk in with a sense of not knowing, thus allowing others to contribute and discover answers.
Space also relates to the balance between structure and freedom. Think of it like ballet movements that seem pointless individually but come together beautifully in a performance. Creating freedom within structure is the goal.
To wrap up, experiment with these ideas. Embrace silence. Challenge yourself to let others contribute instead of always providing answers. As you focus more on the how than the what, you'll witness transformation in your work and relationships. Remember, investing in self-care is equally vital to becoming a better guide in this process.
Stay tuned for the next episode, where we'll delve into more specifics. Until then, take these ideas, apply them, and observe the changes they bring. Take care and see you in the next episode!