You Pick Your Ignorance

bby larrywomack.com

After observing two young men clowning with the cashier at the drive-thru window of a fast food restaurant, I said, “Those boys must have been driving you crazy!”

She replied, “No sir, them boys come by here, acting like that all the time. They’re just funning.  I learned a long time ago, if it weren’t for some people’s ignorance they wouldn’t have no fun at all!”

That episode at the drive-thru provoked me to think about ignorance and its role in success and failure. Since that encounter, I’ve identified seven types of ignorances I’ve encountered in the workplace, social gatherings and in my everyday life.

Arrogant Ignorance. Acting mean spirited to cover up your of lack of knowledge on a subject.

 Educated Ignorance. Thinking that the little letters after one’s name on a business card confer expertise in all subjects.

 Historical Ignorance. Believing that yesterday’s knowledge is sufficient for today’s challenges.  There is nothing new under the sun.

 Intentional Ignorance.  Deliberately pleading ignorance to eliminate the possibility of increasing your workload. It’s not my job.

Blissful Ignorance. Lacking even the slightest interest in a subject. Or being totally unaware that a particular subject exists.

 Genetic Ignorance. Being mentally incapable of learning anything about a given subject. You can’t teach a pig to sing.

 Pooled Ignorance.  Gathering with others to create consensus on matters for which there is little or no expertise in the room. Most meetings.

Suggestions of additional ignorances will be appreciated.