Tools for Titans #18 : Doing something you're unqualified to do.

Dan Carlin is the host of the podcast Hardcore History.

a) Don't be afraid to do something that you are not qualified to do

Unless you are looking at legal or medical work, there are very few things that require an actual qualification to do.

This suggestion makes sense because life is too short to seek permission to do something.

It is often the only way to get promoted sensible manner. Most companies do not promote a person so that he can start doing work of a higher grade, this almost leads to everyone being promoted into incompetence (Peter Principle). It is more likely that you will need to find ways to start doing work of a higher grade before you are considered fit to be promoted.

Ambitious folks are better off seeking forgiveness rather than permission. But please don't do this in the civil service.

b) Copyright your faults

There is no such thing as bad publicity. If you have a glaring flaw, it will be used against you so you might as well turn it into a calling card that reinforces your personal brand.

If you observe our so called famous influencers in our local blogosphere, this would almost always be certainly true.

People have consistently been able to monetise their bitchiness.

c) Listen to Hardcore History

The idea that an amateur historian can come up with a great podcast intrigues me.

All that is left for me to do is to listen to it.