Trigger Question #67:
You are overconfident.
I say that with confidence, because I am confident that you are overconfident. So confident am I that I added the word “again” in the title.
Hey! Calm down. I’m not accusing you. I am reminding you. We are all overconfident sometimes. It is so pervasive that people in white coats have a name for it. Overconfidence Bias.
Here are a few common statements that will help you remember the times when overconfidence got the better of you or your team:
- “I’ve studied enough for tomorrow’s exam.” (How did that work out?)
- “This won’t take long.” (It never does, does it?)
- “We’ve covered all contingencies.” (Yeah, sure. Tell Murphy.)
- “Ha, ha, ha. Look at little David’s slingshot.” (Ouch!)
- “This war will be a minor skirmish.” (No comment.)
Now that I am confident that you understand overconfidence better, I ask that you don’t overreact. Don’t become timid. Simply find a better balance between overconfident and overcautious.
Me? I like “well-considered” as my balance. Try it. I’m cautiously confident you’ll like it.
Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.
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Quote of the Moment:
“Never be confident that others have confidence in you.” The Chief Nonsense Officer.
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