The Laws They Don’t Teach in School

You’ll learn the laws of physics and biology in science. You’ll learn the laws of countries in civics. You’ll learn the laws of language in English class. 

But you won’t learn these. Which is unfortunate, because knowing these laws affects us every bit as much as the others in our daily lives. 

• Dunning-Kruger: People who know the least often think they know the most. Inversely, true expertise brings humility. If you’re overconfident, check your depth. If you’re doubting yourself, you may be closer to mastery than you think. NOTE: Dunning-Kruger has real upside as well. Confidence, even unearned confidence, can be a real catalyst for making change. 
• Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fill the time allotted. Deadlines matter. So does scope. Want to finish faster? Shrink the box. You don’t have a time management problem. You have a time priority problem. 
• Pareto Principle: (the 80/20 rule) Most results come from a few tasks. Not everything has the same priority. There are never 2 number 1’s. Find the 20% that drives the 80%. Focus there.
• Hanlon’s Razor: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” Most screw-ups aren’t sabotage. Most people aren’t trying to screw you. It’s a simple misunderstanding. 
• Peter Principle: People get promoted until they reach their level of incompetence. True for those you’re working with. Also true for you.  

These laws follow from patterns. If you can use them, or at least recognize when them, you’ll hire better, lead better, focus better, and give grace where it’s due.

Logic and fairness don’t always succeed. The way it should be is rarely the way it is. 

Knowing these laws helps you move through the world better.