"we need to find someone who has done X before"
can be a dangerous slope
1/n it involves knowing what X is. And if you need X, there's a good chance you don't know what X really is ...
can be a dangerous slope
1/n it involves knowing what X is. And if you need X, there's a good chance you don't know what X really is ...
2/n
It means that you need to be able to figure out if the person really did X. Very few people operate in a vacuum. To ascribe X to one person is a dangerous slope.
It means that you need to be able to figure out if the person really did X. Very few people operate in a vacuum. To ascribe X to one person is a dangerous slope.
3/n
It means that you are somehow able to predict whether the person can do X in your culture/situation. That is a huge stretch.
You are looking for someone who has done X ... in a similar context. Much harder
It means that you are somehow able to predict whether the person can do X in your culture/situation. That is a huge stretch.
You are looking for someone who has done X ... in a similar context. Much harder
4/n
aha! you can figure this out by "talking to lots of people"
...but this follows the well-worn trap where especially privileged people assume that by merely talking to people, they can be good at something (like finding someone who has done X)
aha! you can figure this out by "talking to lots of people"
...but this follows the well-worn trap where especially privileged people assume that by merely talking to people, they can be good at something (like finding someone who has done X)
5/n
it assumes that you'll continue to need X!
So what happens when your context changes? Do you really want one-trick-pony team members who just do X?
it assumes that you'll continue to need X!
So what happens when your context changes? Do you really want one-trick-pony team members who just do X?
6/n
you are writing off people who *could* do X (but haven't had the opportunity)
or finding people who are really good at saying they can do X (but aren't all that great)
... all to say that assuming we can magically find "people who have done it before" ... is a common trap
you are writing off people who *could* do X (but haven't had the opportunity)
or finding people who are really good at saying they can do X (but aren't all that great)
... all to say that assuming we can magically find "people who have done it before" ... is a common trap
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