EXPERTS

Experts are great at solving problems the way they have learned to solve problems. They are much less adept at solving problems in new and creative ways. They are least adept at solving problems in ways that are best for me..

There are many situations that require expert solutions. In these situations, it is imperative to consult one or more qualified experts in each of the applicable field(s). Most people think they have fulfilled their responsibilities once they have done so. I do not! Experts can only provide solutions from their in-depth but narrow perspectives. There are always multiple perspectives to every problem, and there are always multiple solutions from every perspective. If we only listen to some experts, we miss other expert and “non-expert” but potentially valuable solutions. Moreover, we are very unlikely to hear of new and creative solutions.

We have all spoken to someone who had a back problem, for example. When these people consult a back surgeon, the most frequent solution recommended, not surprisingly, is back surgery. Many of these people turn to alternative health practitioners and wind up getting relief, at least for a time, using less invasive procedures. Was the back surgeon merely a “money-grubbing” doctor who only cares about lining his pockets with cash? Perhaps, but not necessarily so. From the back surgeon’s perspective, back surgery may be the most effective intervention. But there are other professional perspectives. From those other professional perspectives, a less invasive approach may be the most effective intervention.

There are also nonprofessional perspectives. The most important nonprofessional perspective for me is my perspective. The most important nonprofessional perspective for you is your perspective. No matter what professional advice we receive, no matter how good that advice may be from an objective standpoint, the subjective perspective of the individual is at least as important a consideration as the objective perspectives in choosing the best solution.

Using the back surgery example again: Even if the back surgeon is correct and back surgery is the objectively best solution for my back problem, it may not be the correct solution from my subjective perspective. I may be afraid of surgery. I may have limited tolerance for the intense pain during the recovery period even if the overall pain will be reduced in the long run. My daughter may be getting married shortly and I do not want to miss dancing at her wedding. My wife may be experiencing an even greater medical problem and she needs me to help her in ways that I will be unable to do during the recovery period. Subjective considerations are all about me and my life. Only I am able to balance all those subjective considerations against the objective expert considerations and determine the best solution for me at this particular time.

Many of us are reluctant to disagree with an expert. After all, they know so much about this type of problem and we know so little about it. While this is true, we must separate the importance of what they say from an objective standpoint and the importance of what they say from a subjective standpoint. No matter how great an expert’s knowledge about a particular problem from an objective standpoint, my subjective knowledge about the problem far exceeds his or hers. I should be very reluctant to argue with an expert about the objective issues of the problem. I should have no such reluctance when discussing the subjective issues of the problem.

Decisions are almost never totally objective. I must always have the confidence to value my thoughts about the subjective issues that underlie every problem. In the end, I am the one who must live with my decision.