Expertise is overrated. Psychological studies have demonstrated this when they identified the phenomenon called “the intermediate effect,” which is that “novices or intermediates surpass experts on tasks that require memory for the surface structure of presented information.” ¹

We tend to place a lot of pressure on ourselves to be experts and to sell ourselves as experts. But the truth is that when we are learning a new topic, we tend to exhibit more active, working competency with the complexities of a knowledge domain than so-called credentialed experts.

Cal Newport’s book Deep Work predicts that in the new economy, the three types of people who will achieve super-success are (1) rich people with access to capital, (2) the top 1% talent, and (3) those who are able to complete 4 hours of deep work (i.e., knowledge-based work) every day. ²

Whether or not Newport is correct, I have found his claim to be functionally true on the ground level when working with clients. This topical space — Knowledge Work — is devoted to building out a knowledge base related to the practice and theory of deep work in both professional and personal settings.