“I don’t need to know this” — Why general knowledge is a key skill today
I must confess, I am a bit of a nerd. My shelves are lined with books on French and World History, from Ancient times to medieval era, Modern times, the Second World War, religions and mythologies. I also own a myriad of graphic novels from a wide variety of authors, styles, and languages. Maybe your own area of interest is elsewhere. Are you a sports fanatic and have an extensive knowledge of all the rules, players, and history of your favorite one? Or are you into music, play an instrument, and know all about the composers and famous soloists in your field? Maybe it’s cooking, bird watching, learning a language for your own pleasure, or any other venture that have no practical impact on your working life.
While our professional life may seem worlds apart from our personal interests, the connection lies in the invaluable skills gained from delving into such a diverse source of knowledge. The question often arises: what’s the point of learning something seemingly unrelated to our jobs? The answer is clear: cultivating curiosity and fostering critical thinking.
As children, we bemoaned the seemingly useless facts we absorbed in school. Who, after all, has used a compass and protractor since leaving the classroom? The true purpose, however, was not just to inundate us with information but also, and mostly, to build up general knowledge. It’s about equipping us with the ability to think and analyze, fostering skills that go way beyond the boundaries of specific subjects.
General knowledge is the antidote to the rise of pseudo-science and science denial, but also conspiracy theories, phenomena increasingly prevalent in our interconnected world. A lack of diverse information sources can lead to a dearth of critical thinking, a perilous situation we’ve witnessed during the ongoing pandemic but also in the current global political turmoil. In a society where information is readily available, discerning the truth becomes a complex task. Hence, the importance of general knowledge as a compass for navigating the sea of information.
Curiosity and critical thinking, cultivated through diverse hobbies and interests, equip us with the tools to navigate the complexities of the modern professional landscape. We know that there can be multiple sources of information, that “the truth” might be way more complex than what we perceive at first sight, and that making decisions too quickly and with limited knowledge of a situation will almost certainly lead to mistakes. Understanding that there is a spectrum of expertise, from true authorities to novices, and acknowledging our own limits, enables us to assess situations more accurately.
This is why curiosity and critical thinking go hand in hand. Whatever the topic we focus on as a hobby, we learn to observe things with caution, we know expertise takes time to develop. This understanding is transferrable to the workplace, where quick decisions based on limited information can lead to disastrous outcomes. Instead, a seasoned professional, drawing on the lessons of curiosity, knows the value of taking a step back, analyzing a situation critically, and acknowledging the gaps in their understanding.
In a professional context, this amalgamation of skills makes us better decision-makers. We learn to navigate uncertainty, approaching challenges with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Acknowledging our limitations becomes a strength rather than a weakness, driving us to continuously acquire the skills necessary to tackle the ever-evolving landscape of our careers.
In essence, the seemingly disparate realms of personal interests and professional pursuits converge in the realm of curiosity and critical thinking. Curiosity will at least teach us to accept there are things we know, things we know that we don’t know, and an ocean of things we don’t know that we don’t know. Understanding this, and applying this in a working context, will make us better professionals as we will be able to take a step back and look critically at complex situations, understand our own limits, and work hard to learn the skills needed to solve future unknown issues.
So, the next time someone questions the point of learning something seemingly unrelated, remind them that the power lies in the joy of discovery, and the mindset acquired along the way.
