There is a popular idea that folks with excellent "people"
skills usually have poor technical skills. Also, that brilliant
scientists and technicians have poor "people" skills.
We've shown this in the chart below:
At the top left corner, we have the technically ignorant people,
with great influencing skills. We've all met salespeople, marketeers,
CEO's and managers who have no clue about technology, but are very
persuasive and influential with people.
At the bottom right corner, we have the technically brilliant folks
who have trouble intereacting with humans. This is a popular
generalisation - the geek, the mad scientist and the emotionally
detached lab technician.
And the Normal Expertise Line line joins up these two extremes. Most
of us are assumed to be somewhere along this lime. As technical skill
increases, so expertise with people decreases.
If you want it mathematically, it's saying something like:
Technical Expertise x People Expertise = A Constant
In other words:
You can't have great technical ability and also be good at working with people.
Many people accept this view.
And it's Wrong.
Unfortunately many people in technical professions accept this
"normalilty". It's embedded in their training - which tends to focus on
science, rather than influencing skills, for example. They assume that
to be technically expert you have to relinquish your ability to
socialise, charm, influence and persuade.
You and I know that:
The conventional view is wrong.
You can be technically able and also work brilliantly with people.
There is a reality beyond the "normality"line.
Let's take a look at it...
Just above the Normal Expertise Line, we have the Distinction Zone. You get there by having better "people expertise" than expected. You distinguish yourself from the accepted normality.
It's amazing how small a difference you need to make in order to
make that distinction. Even having people skills on your radar can
often put you head and shoulders above the techies around you. If
you've taken the trouble to read this far, you're probably somewhere in
the distinction zone, or ready to move in that direction. It will:
Give you an edge, a competitive advantage.
Make your work more productive, more rewarding and more fun.
Help you get the sort of technical projects that you want, and then run them successfully.
Get you noticed - you're no longer so average or mediocre.
Boost your value to your company, improving your prospects and security.
And if you need to move, it will help you land your next job.
Above the Distinction Zone, we have the Superstar Zone - strong in both technical and people expertise.
People in this zone have great power - they can influence with skill
and they also know the technicalities. They are respected by both
techies and business colleagues.
Where are you on the chart?
Where would you like to be?
We help you move up from the normality line.
We introduce you to new skills and support you as you put them into practice.
