The Reverse Curse of Knowledge

H. Hal Futhey
President
QPA Training and Consulting

Why is it that one company has 'the power of kaizen', while the other doesn't? And how do 'non-kaizen' companies get burdened with the 'reverse curse of knowledge?'

But first, what is kaizen?

Kaizen is what the Japanese call 'continuous improvement'. The 'zen' in Kaizen emphasizes the 'learn-by-doing' aspect of always improving. Kaizen methodology is about making changes and monitoring results, then adjusting.

The 'reverse curse of knowledge' doesn't allow you to just make changes.

So what is the 'reverse curse of knowledge anyway?'

It's the need to see the entire picture before even getting off the ground. Every 'i' has to be crossed, every 't' has to be dotted (I know, I know, I got that phrase wrong, but the company that is saddled with the 'reverse curse of knowledge' would get stuck at this point).

They'd be so focused on getting that 'i' dotted and 't' crossed, that they'd miss the point of the article.

But if they got rid of their curse, how would they act? They would look at the mistake above, and immediately forge ahead through the rest of the article. They might make a note to let me know that I made a mistake, but that wouldn't stop them from reading the content for what it is.

And this 'what it is' factor powers them forward

They become relentless in learning, and then applying concepts instantly. And, that application creates results. These results can be 'mistakes' or 'successes', but rapid application allows them to instantly move ahead--irrespective whether they are making a mistake, fixing a mistake on the fly, or meeting with success.

They don't need five case-studies, and fifteen graphs

They take the concept for what it is, and apply it to their world. Most others don't. They need dozens of external issues to simply accept the idea.

They then need proof--which often needs to pertain to their industry. And you and I know, that if you'd waited for proof from your own industry, you could wait forever.

It can take an enormous time to see everything; to get all the ducks in a row, before doing anything. And, this is not usually the fault of any individual person. It's the way some companies process things.

Some of us will get the ignition 'fixed' and drive the car.

Some of us will want the ignition 'fixed', the car polished, and need to know how long the ignition will last, what's in it, why it is different and so on. 

And, this need to know everything slows companies and people down. It puts them in 'snail gear' not allowing them to go forward until they have the complete picture. But, the complete picture doesn't ever come to fruition. They stall in the swamp of minutia.

Could you or I know exactly how a road trip would be?

Could you or I know exactly how a plane will fly?

Could you or I know exactly how a day will roll out?

We don't, but the companies cursed with 'reverse curse of knowledge' do their best to find out. And in doing so, spend enormous amounts of time finding out. So while you're roaring down the road, and have covered fifty miles, they're still making sure everything fits just right.

You may indeed be considered reckless.

In addition, you may indeed have a breakdown along the way. However, in most cases it is worth it. In most cases, it is better to run with what we have, knowing that it's 70% done. 

Many companies cannot handle anything that's less than the high 90's. Or 100% or 200% (if that's possible) would suit them fine.

However, those who do take 50% or 70% and ride, are obviously riding with some deficiency (50% or 30% deficiency) and therefore, are more than likely to run into some sputtering along the way.

A sputter that's quickly detected and fixed, can allow you to move ahead, if only with minor fixes, but it's important to have to do the fixes.

As you already know, knowledge itself is not a curse.

It is a blessing. It helps you to move ahead rapidly, if you simply let go and move ahead in an imperfect manner. But there's also the flip side. The knowledge that we have, can go to our heads. And, a little knowledge is often a good thing, but also a dangerous thing.

Therefore, we have to keep learning, and keep implementing, and keep having to fix, move ahead.

Moreover, the core is 'kaizen'.

What the Japanese call 'continuous improvement'. The knowledge can never stop. That tap must never be turned off. It must be managed. 

If you want to move ahead in life, you must be ready to go with what's available and make it work for you.

The learning continues. It must.

And so must the application. Yes, even if you don't have the complete picture just yet!

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