#158 Aaron Dignan: Change The Way You Work
The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish
*Path to collective mastery *
Standards and defaults are two different approaches used in companies. A standard is the agreed upon way of doing things, while a default is the suggested approach for those who are new or inexperienced. In the context of mastery, the levels range from following the rules strictly to breaking the rules occasionally to eventually creating new rules. Defaults provide a starting point for beginners, allowing them to learn the basics before they can explore and innovate. Cultures that embrace defaults also encourage individuals to communicate when they deviate from the default, creating experimental spaces for learning and improvement. This barbell strategy allows for both safe bets and more innovative approaches. Successful deviations can be incorporated into the default over time, resulting in gradual but significant changes. The key is to have a steward or owner of the default who can integrate these experimental learnings into the collective knowledge of the team. This process of evolution and adaptation is essential for achieving collective mastery.
