Understanding vs facts

Do you know a lot about your industry… or do you UNDERSTAND your industry?

What’s the difference?

Let’s look at that… and why the difference is more important for your work than you might think:

Example 1: The general theory of relativity lets us understanding how planets move.

Facts about a particular planet may help us forecast its particular movement, but those facts don’t change our understanding. Nor could those facts supplant understanding.

Example 2: Counting lets us understand quantities of things.

Facts about hash marks or Roman numerals may help us express counting in other formats, but those facts don’t change our understanding, either.

Now let’s bring it back to YOUR work.

Which sounds more important:

  • Understanding what makes a client feel confident, safe, and happy under your care, or
  • Knowing the latest closing hack or popular CRM follow-up technique?

How about these, which is more important:

  • Knowing how to use Figma, XD, Sketch and Photoshop like the back of your hand, or
  • Understanding how to use visuals to ethically guide attention while invoking the right emotional state?

Seek understanding above facts.

And remember the difference.

Your work will thank you greatly for it.