Above average

There’s the “superiority illusion” in psychology and the “Dunning-Kruger effect” and various studies … all of which  point to the idea that in some areas, at times, we hold an unrealistic measure of our own knowledge.

Example: many surveys have shown that the vast majority of drivers (80 or 90 percent) believe that they have above average driving skills. That’s statistically impossible.

Wherever we are on the spectrum, here’s the important thing to remember: we can learn from anyone. High-scorers, low-scorers, the proud and the humble … lessons — important lessons — can be learned if we’re willing and open.

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Step one is recognizing that we have much to learn.