A Smart Bear · Jason Cohen
articleprincipleWhen being an "expert" is harmful
28 September 2025Profit
Source excerpt
About A Smart BearExpertise hinders learning. Learn from these examples, so that you leverage your expertise, but aren't blinded by it. Insights come from curiosity, not certainty.
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Apollo layer
What a founder can learn
Founder takeaway
Use expertise to generate strong hypotheses, not unquestionable conclusions. Deliberately seek evidence that challenges your assumptions, especially when entering a new market, diagnosing customer needs, or making high-conviction decisions.
Why it matters
Past experience speeds up pattern recognition, but it can also make founders dismiss unfamiliar signals. Staying curious preserves the benefits of expertise while reducing the risk of confidently applying an outdated or irrelevant pattern.
Relevant guides
Put it to work
For one important decision this week, write down your current conclusion, the assumptions behind it, and one conversation or experiment that could prove you wrong.