Everything Looks Like a Nail

“To a man with a hammer everything looks like a nail.” 

(The Economist attributed this quote to Mark Twain though I am trying to independently confirm the source.)

I find this quote illuminating. It explains why two people can observe or experience the same things and understand them quite differently. As humans, we view and interpret data– situations, people etc.– based on our own history, knowledge and skills. Our tools. For some the tool is a hammer but there is a vast array of tools– just check out a Home Depot’s tool aisle.

This led my thoughts back to a paper I had read about interpreting history. When trying to explain major trends or events in history the cause will always be an economic one to an economist, a political one to a political scientist or a religious one to clergy. In most cases while any one interpretation may be supportable and logical, the reality is that there were many forces at work.

I see corollaries in the workplace where lawyers, accountants, marketers, communicators or human resources professionals will see problems and suggest solutions solely from their area of specialty. It is the person or team that can integrate multiple perspectives that will be most effective.

To make this idea more personal, think of families. Husbands, wives and children tend to have different tools. Being self aware enough to recognize this and wise enough to understand the others’ tools can be the difference between anger and bliss. 

I greatly admire those, like Twain, who can find a few words to convey so much.

“To a man with a hammer everything looks like a nail.” 

Note to self. Work on being clever and succinct enough to have an illuminating quote that lives into the next century.