One benefit of talking to SMEs
i have learned that if you are a Person With Theories, you simply cannot date someone who is theoryless. the theories can be wildly different, even occasionally deranged, but there must be theories. ideally over time your respective theory ecosystems begin to cross-pollinate https://t.co/7Ooxpu5ul9
— maja 🔭🍒 (@majamediaco) August 26, 2026
The benefit of learning from an SME is that they have a coherent mental model built on a couple of core philosophies. They can tell you their philosophies explicitly, but it’s not until you engage in discourse that your brain starts to feel their shape.
The best way to grok these philosophies is to make clear statements and welcome feedback. A clear signal (e.g. “I think X is because of Y”) has a better chance eliciting strong agreement/disagreement, a request for more context, or a breakdown with nuance. Providing this clear signal to the SME requires courage, especially if you’re new to a project, which is why it’s a sign of seniority.
Once you grok the SME’s core philosophies, you can understand how it’s compatible with yours. This gives you an opportunity to grow, learn ways to adapt, or, if needed, find a better fit. This is particularly true for SMEs you hire for services (doctor, accountant, attorney, etc.)