Do we really believe what we say?

I have touted for a number of years the intelligence of many skilled trades individuals. I know some of my stories have made it into posts when I talk about the disconnect between the skilled trades and office personnel (blue and white collar) but I haven’t even begun to exhaust my supply of stories that seem to reinforce my point. Somewhere along the line, though, I began to think why they were important in the first place. Why do we retell tales of individuals who are skilled tradesmen and their exercised intelligence? My initial response is they are examples of intelligence at work. This may seem shortsighted but honesty is at work here.

Similarly, why do we relish in stories of engineers making mistakes, project managers committing blunders, or when scheduling issues go awry? Does that not strike any as odd? Perhaps not. I cannot recall, from my personal experience, any one else having these thoughts or ponderings. Still, there has to be something to them, right?

This may be mere conjecture on my part but I think it’s because we think those moments are rare, outside the norm, and not commonplace. We, unknowingly, adhere to the stereotypes which exist for our particular professions.

Now, that is an extremely broad brush I’m using but with it I think the picture is accurate, nonetheless. They say great comedy can be found based loosely upon some measure of truth; I believe it to be true with stereotypes also.

Common misconceptions

Think about this for a moment: what is the common perception of those in the skilled trades, real or not? I’m sure many of them will roll right off the tongue as you recite them from memory. If you are having a difficult time coming up with some, then you have either not been in the skilled trades long or are living under a rock. You can check out this post I wrote about those very things here: 

The pros and cons of the skilled trades

The pros and cons post

Let’s go through some of them briefly and see if we can’t examine my point a little further.

• Unintelligent/not smart
• Lazy
• Uncouth

By far the most well known/touted is those in the skilled trades are not intelligent. While I certainly believe there are many variables, it is not my intention here to split hairs about the application of intelligence, its many branches, or how it’s applied. Rather, I would like to focus on the ramifications of this widespread thought – on both sides of the isle, as it were.

Put away your personal bias about this subject and delve into just how pervasive the belief/correlation is between intelligence and skilled tradesmen (or lack thereof). I assert it is one of the more powerful ones, entrenched in the very fabric of career selection, exercised by many of us on a daily basis unwittingly.

Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at some of the things which are most assuredly affected by a subconscious subscription to the above:

• Have you ever told someone (your children, other kids, people you may have influence over) they should go to school and not go into not just your trade but any trade?
• Perhaps you have been on the receiving end of that advice?
• Have you ever asked someone why they were in the skilled trades and not in some other occupation (as in, they possessed more intelligence than necessary for the skilled trades)?
• Ever expressed to yourself or others you wished you had of gone to school instead of the skilled trades?

If so, then you have inadvertently reinforced the skilled trades are for less intelligent, lazy people who have done something wrong in terms of careers and life in general.

Interestingly enough, however, we don’t verbalize it that way about the respective crafts as we live/work them. Think about it: we often tell stories of people we know who made something extraordinary, solved an impossible problem, accomplished the difficult, and knew how to play the game for what it was worth. But why do those stories stand out? Why are we so keen on reliving those memories if we believed them to be commonplace, if we thought the skilled trades possessed scores of those individuals?

I surmise it’s because, deep down, we don’t believe what we say; that is, we don’t believe the skilled trades is a place filled with intelligent people. Rather, it’s a place for degenerates, low lifes, people who have made poor choices, the unintelligent, etc. THAT is what we reinforce when we say some of the above. In short, we don’t believe what we say when we say the skilled trades are just as intelligent. Never mind the application of intelligence and it’s many perimeters; we take a more singular approach and deny ourselves that trait entirely.

Though my point be made, I want to reinforce it for good measure. If we in fact did believe what we say those stories of accomplishment and ingenuity wouldn’t be our go to – they would be commonplace. Instead, they dominate when we congregate.

On the other side of the isle, office personnel revel in accomplishing that which is primarily in the realm of the skilled trades. As someone who has spent time in the office performing the duties of safety manager, superintendent, unofficial assistant project manager (a fancy way of saying I was doing the work and not getting paid), and the job I did the most – foreman – I can certainly vouch for what I assert. I used to chuckle when I overheard the stories because I thought they represented a dynamic they were unwilling to admit. But hey, fair is fair – it’s on both sides of the fence.

An important distinction is needed at this point. The group I wish to give a pass to are those rare beasts who, by virtue, vice, skill, and need have prompted their respective employers to promote them from within. They are those who have worked in the field for years and consequently, due to their hard work, emotional intelligence, knowledge and wisdom, or a combination of the above have been asked to work in the office. These individuals are those of rare disposition who perform specific tasks for their respective company and have the best foundation available, hands down: experience. There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that can replace that most viable trait. But alas, I digress.

These individuals can, when both necessary and at their pleasure, do the work of both the skilled tradesman and office personnel (to the extent of the position they are in, that is). They are the rare unicorn in this example.

Outside those individuals, however, the vast majority of office workers lead more sedentary lives, actually enjoy the office, and do not do much in the area of skilled trades.

But when they do, they share it as often as those in the skilled trades share their cross career accomplishments. Why is this so?

Because I believe, on both sides of that barrier, the belief is we are as smart or as skilled as the other side – But we do not believe what we say. It is a mere platitude, something for us to recite when we are feeling attacked, belittled, or just plain cocky.

Deep down, what we actually believe is more revealing than what we are comfortable with out in the open. I assert we believe the majority of our laborers, field or office, are as unintelligent or unskilled as the stereotypes declare. Simply put, we shame ourselves with this type of subversive concept.

Upon examination of this unrealized truth I began to connect the dots and they revealed a caricature clothed in deceit. I mean, if we don’t believe it why do we promulgate it so openly? Simple: we delude ourselves with lies. It’s subtle, quiet, and raging under the surface but if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck then it probably is a duck. And that duck is a liar. Truth is, we don’t believe what we say.

So what do we do?

Having come this far, why do we do what it is we do? Why do we listen to the subconscious serpent whispering sweet nothings in our ear? Why do we take the fruit offered rather than refusing it’s sweet but ultimately unsatisfying taste? Could it be we are ashamed of what we deep down believe and ascribe to?

The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes also, but with more words.

I have little doubt we believe the crap that has been around for too many years. The puzzle pieces fit and we are the ones putting it together.

So, knowing what we have just read, how do we exactly overcome the toxic switch and bait we so readily adhere to?

For starters, perhaps we can come to some agreement regarding intelligence and its many facets. We should acknowledge mechanical aptitude and inclination is vastly different than being what has been commonly known as book smarts. They are almost as far as the east is from the west in comparison. Yet somehow, we feel the need to assimilate the two disciplines and think it necessary to get an accurate picture. This is paramount: we need to remember they are separate disciplines and as such require different measuring.

Second, we could change our perception of those different than us. Just because someone seems to possess a different skillset than us doesn’t mean they are less valuable to the overall operation; instead, they have a part to play which turns out to be invaluable. Whatever your position happens to be, you have a job to do just like those who are not quite like you. Recognize it, own it, and actually live it.

Third, actually believe what you say. When you say those in the skilled trades possess intelligence, recognize disciplines, their applications, and their shortfalls. Their makeup is a complete picture of who they are, what they are capable of, and where they are going, never mind the side of the wall you are on.

Fourth, remember where you are at as a person, whether skilled tradesman, office personnel, or a combination thereof. Reflect on what it is like to be judged via your skillset and act accordingly, i.e., treat others as you would like to be treated. Exhibit the golden rule, as it were.

Take the time to reflect on all that goes into the successful completion of any job you do. Recognize the various puzzle pieces that all come together, forming a complete picture of what’s truly needed to do a job. And remember that the vast majority of us do not believe what we say. Acknowledging there is a problem is the first step in dealing with this – and then act accordingly.