Comments

A lot of people take common sense for granted, which is why it isn't listed as hiring criteria. It's hard to tell if someone has it on an interview as well.

In any position where you interact with others, common sense is invaluable.

Posted by Dan Schawbel at August 18, 2008 3:15 PM

There is nothing common about sense, the carzies understand the value and worth of their sense. The fact it is not common makes it all the more worthwhile.

Dan you and I don't agree on this, I also understand that poor understanding of sense does the damage but the true value lies in one's own understanding of sense and how that is presented.

Posted by Patrick at August 19, 2008 2:09 AM

Yes - Me!

Posted by PaulH at August 19, 2008 2:26 AM

Are there enough who lack common sense? I know Tom refers to hanging out with weird people - but why people without common sense?? I may be off but I define common sense as just that - the common sense of the masses. Therefore it must be understood to influence and communicate with... it is also the lowest common denominator of social movement...But why aim to have them on the payroll? Or do we assume that if you lack common sense you are liberated to see things differently, innovate, create etc. Maybe... - I think I need a few more hints.

Steve

Posted by Steve Robert at August 19, 2008 12:00 PM

There are lots of people without apparent common sense and the average person write them off. Many serve a larger purpose to society and we need to scrutinize their operating patterns for hints of their genius.
Walking thru MIT I noticed many of the signs for events are on the ground or posted low for those deep in thought. That makes perfect "uncommon sense" to me. Two of my highly intelligent Asperger syndrome friends look at the ground as they walk. Check out the floor ads in your local grocery. Good string.

Posted by The Job Doctor at August 19, 2008 12:43 PM

Brilliant! I think that I agree with "The Job Doctor" here. Some of the most brilliant people that I know have a complete disregard for what others think.

I see it all too often in my workplace. People that act off of the safe assumptions are often wrong, and frequently miss the mark. It takes someone without "common sense" to truly innovate and get the real creative juices flowing.

If I am hiring someone, then I certainly want to surround myself with the innovative ones that will help break us out of comfortable molds that we settle into...

Posted by Dan King at August 19, 2008 1:50 PM

Great observation Job Doctor – thanks for a terrific insight.

My wife and I recently returned from a drama summer school residential week. We performed the Australian play ‘Cloudstreet’ from the novel written by Tim Winton. We were a cast of 24 thrown together randomly – we had never met - and we had 7 days to prepare for a public performance.

One of our cast was a young man in his early 20's who had Aspergers Syndrome. I’m pretty sure in some people’s eyes he may have appeared to have lacked ‘common sense.’

Interestingly enough this highly intelligent young man was without a shadow of a doubt the star of our 90 minute performance. He was outstanding. That was the unanimous view of all of us.

Never judge a book by the cover.

Posted by Trevor Gay at August 19, 2008 2:09 PM

I think Steve is asking the right questions and the Job Doctor has a great example. Some common sense is necessary for basic survival. Our common sense can get in the way of innovation. When we can turn off the common sense for a while, that is when we can really see things in a new way.

Posted by Kevin at August 20, 2008 2:40 PM

Sense, nonsense, and then we have common sense. Distinguish sense from nonsense - can we say that is common sense? With common sense people work better. Great stuff!

Posted by VK Narayanan at August 25, 2008 3:15 AM

Common sense does not appear to be common.

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