In a recent post, philosopher-turned-businessman Robert Garmong made this observation:
I’m now convinced that 99% of business success comes down to skill at defining and applying concepts.
Those who are mere cogs in the machine, generally speaking, are those who don’t really understand the concepts. They may grasp the rules, but not the reasons. They may rise to the top of a department by being especially diligent in following the rules, but they’re never going to be the idea-leaders or creators. They are essentially functioning on the perceptual level.
Then there are those who understand the concepts on some level, can apply them reasonably well, and get some of the implications of a concept. These are the ones who ask moderately good questions at a company seminar. They understand but are not able to be creative with their understanding: They can’t apply their conceptualizations to new contexts, they can’t project the future, and they can’t see how the implications of concept X relate to the implications of concept Y.
You see it within any organization. If you ask why so-and-so with a perfectly good university degree is stuck in a mid-level position, it’s likely because he or she doesn’t have the conceptualization.
But those who get who understand the ideas on a *propositional* level are the innovators who change the world.
If I’m right about this, success in business is largely a function of epistemology. Not just the basics of logic (identifying logical fallacies, correctly identifying valid deductive inferences), but the much more important aspects of being able to identify essentials, think in principles, and break through contextual limitations.
Hmmm. I have known more than a few jerks, idiots, and liars that are wildly successful in business. In fact, I call it, “arguing with reality.” Their lives are filled with excuses, blame, misdirection, fighting, and theft. These are the owners of businesses generating tens and hundreds of $Millions. And doing it for decades. They have really nice cars and houses and all the trappings of wealth.
By any typical business measure, they are knocking it out of the park.
They might understand some things. But you don’t have to be smart to sell or produce something.
In fact, their typical M.O. is to do the WRONG thing, take a beating, make a correction, and try again until it works.
That isn’t smart, insightful, or full of understanding. That is just luck and determination.
It’s a miserable way to live, but it is successful.
Now their lives and mental states, they are miserable. They feel like the world is out to get them. They can trust no one. Every human interaction is a fight. Their family and company culture are both drama filled nightmares. So in this sense they are failures and they are mostly passing it on to their kids and staff.
However, in business they are killing it.
Think of it like this. You can be wildly successful with your craft, and still be dumb.
Put another way, many successful entrepreneurs are happy to be the dumbest people on the team, as long as the team works for them.
When I studied Philosophy it was and remains the single most intellectually challenging project. I miss it. But Business is more about making resources more efficient. Not necessarily understanding.
PS- oh and Hi Robert! 🙂