Article by Dick Rogers - 3/19/2010

How manytimes in your life have you thought you really knew what you were talking aboutonly to try to demonstrate that knowledge and you tripped over your tongue tothe point of embarrassment?  I know Ihave.  I want to provide you with aframework in which to think about whether we “know” something or not, and howto evaluate others when they claim to “know” what they are talking about.

Thisconversation can be boiled down into three words: familiarity, understandingand knowledge.  Let me explain.  There is a significant difference betweenbeing familiar with a subject, having understanding of a subject or havingknowledge of a subject.  Let me use theguitar as an example.

If you are“familiar” with a guitar you recognize a guitar when you see it.  You could probably describe a guitar tosomeone, but that’s about it.  Yourability to produce results ends there.

If you have“understanding” of a guitar, you would need to have some other information inyour skill set about guitars.  Maybe youhave studied why it is shaped the way it is. You may be able to write a paper on its design, the reason the stringsare arranged the way they are, how many frets it has and why, what the tunersare for, what the bridge does etc.  Thereare many things you may be able to discuss regarding the guitar as a result ofyour learning.  But you still can’tdemonstrate effective results with a guitar i.e. you can’t play it.

If you have“knowledge” of the guitar, you are able to DEMONSTRATE an ability with all ofyour learning and actually play the instrument. You can actually produce results with your knowledge.  This is a huge distinction to grasp.  The only true knowledge implies that you canproduce effective results i.e. you can play the guitar.

Most peoplewalk around believing they have knowledge of a subject or a skill, but cannotproduce any results with their knowledge. This means that they are not competent to act effectively with theirinformation.   Producing effective action that can achieve resultsis the only measurement with power.

So, why isthis distinction so important in your business world.  First, you need to know when people are fullof BS.  When people tell you that theyhave knowledge and are able to produce results but all they really have isfamiliarity or understanding, you need to know that.  And it’s easy to determine.  Simply ask them for past instances where theyproduced effective results in the area in question, and then check theseresults out.

Knowing thedifferences between these three distinctions will save you time, money, andenergy in evaluating the talent you have in your company or with those thatprovide you services. 

Use this newknowledge and you’ll be much more effective in your business life.

So, gopursue knowledge or those that have it to leverage your effectiveness.

Dick Rogers

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