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Published on <a href="https://blog.prototypr.io/confidently-incompetent-and-the-tyranny-of-uh-huh-7c0095406e8?source=rss----eb297ea1161a---4">| Prototyping: From UX to Front End &mdash; Medium</a> danramsden <img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*MpGyrXOt420yvTFNFTlvcQ.jpeg">
For the last few months I’ve been writing about Imposter Syndrome. I’ve started talking about it being the result of a fixed mindset and a sort of <a href="https://medium.com/@danramsden/unconfidently-competent-and-how-mindsets-and-the-mind-can-cause-imposter-syndrome-64da1aae254e">‘unconfident competence’</a>.
I’d defended ‘confidence’ as the weapon to use against imposterism. Confidence enables the playful, non-reductive thinking that powers design. Confidence also enables and empowers curiosity. And curiosity is magic.
While being overly-confident or arrogant is always bad, confidence is a positive attribute and a foundation on which to build your expertise and practice. When combined with curiosity, confidence becomes your weapon to work at every stage of competence.
<h3>‘The Tyranny of uh-huh’</h3>
Information architects must be able to ask the stupid question. In truth, IAs need the confidence to understand that there are very few stupid questions.
Too often we sit in meetings saying ‘uh huh’. We assume that we’re all talking the same language because we’re using the same words. Assumptions can too easily ruin or at least undermine the progress of design. Having the confidence to say:
<blockquote>“Wait, when you say “this”, I don’t think I understand what you mean.”</blockquote>
is fundamental to the practice of IA. That quote is actually taken from one of my favourite IAs — <a href="https://podcast.fjordnet.com/fika/#/episode?id=fika-with-abby-covert-and-andy-polaine">Abby Covert, on this podcast.</a>
I’ve written <a href="https://medium.com/@danramsden/https-medium-com-danramsden-dan-ramsdens-spectrum-of-intervention-d8b3fd86b51c">here about my ‘Spectrum of Intervention’</a> and described the ‘Fog of confusion’ and the <a href="https://medium.com/@danramsden/https-medium-com-danramsden-dan-ramsdens-spectrum-of-intervention-d8b3fd86b51c#---35-76">‘Roadblock of Unrecognised disagreement’</a>. I seem to be going through a phase of grandiose naming, so inspired by Abby’s words I’m tempted to call the curve towards that zone ‘The Tyranny of Uh-huh’.
A lack of confidence can keep us silent when we should speak up. “Stupid questions” are the quickest way to reveal the undermining assumptions that will damage our design. Asking questions can reveal a lack of knowledge but equally importantly they reveal assumptions. Revealing assumptions always helps to refine or clarify our design and intent. Revealing assumptions and architecting a shared reality is the main job of an IA. And because a well-timed “stupid question” is so useful, it’s the easiest way to disguise a lack of ‘competence in knowledge’ behind the high degree of confidence, skill and competence in question-asking.
When deciding on the label of ‘unconfident competence’ as a way of exploring imposter syndrome, I’d assumed that <a href="https://medium.com/@danramsden/unconfidently-competent-and-how-mindsets-and-the-mind-can-cause-imposter-syndrome-64da1aae254e#---0-24">‘confident incompetence’</a> would be a bad thing. I’d described these people as living in blissful ignorance or enjoying the benefits of Dunning-Kruger effect while those around them suffered. But now I have a more positive framing for this state — curiosity.
<h3>Curiosity</h3>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*2qyMottI1aWaYM7afuvUfw.jpeg">
Curiosity might be frowned on in the cat community, but I think it’s the most vital element of the designer’s outlook. It’s hard to be scared when you’re curious. It’s difficult to sustain anger too. And likewise, it’s hard to be too confident when curious. Curiosity seems to calibrate confidence to just the right amount. Curiosity isn’t obsessive, dogmatic or entrenched. It embraces possibility and then provides the motivation and energy to pursue it. Curiosity is our friend.
So, next time you think you understand what someone just said, make sure. The next time you’re sat in a room and someone says “uh huh,” ask the stupid question for them — they’ll likely be thankful. And the next time you think you might be incompetent, stay curious, ask yourself what a competent person might do in this situation and then try doing it.
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<a href="https://blog.prototypr.io/confidently-incompetent-and-the-tyranny-of-uh-huh-7c0095406e8">‘Confidently incompetent’ and ‘The Tyranny of Uh-huh’</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.prototypr.io">prototypr</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

‘Confidently incompetent’ and ‘The Tyranny of Uh-huh’

‘Confidently incompetent’ and ‘The Tyranny of Uh-huh’

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