--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Elites mistakenly believe they know more…" description: "\"“Elites mistakenly believe they know more than they actually do, and successes within their own specialties of knowledge lead them to overestimate thei..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jayson-lusk-57603_knowledge_elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more_1329615.jpg" --- # Elites mistakenly believe they know more than they… ![“Elites mistakenly believe they know more than they actually do, and successes within their own specialties of knowledge lead them to overestimate their competence in other areas—such as policy” quote by Jayson Lusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jayson-lusk-57603_knowledge_elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more_1329615.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jayson-lusk-57603_knowledge_elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more_1329615.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jayson-lusk-57603_knowledge_elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more_1329615.jpg) > ““Elites mistakenly believe they know more than they actually do, and successes within their own specialties of knowledge lead them to overestimate their competence in other areas—such as policy”” [Jayson Lusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-lusk/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Experts often overestimate their ability outside their field, leading to misguided confidence in policy decisions. **In simple terms:** Experts can be overconfident in unrelated areas. Key Takeaway Seek diverse perspectives before deciding. Themes expertise overconfidence policy decision‑making Mood analytical cautious Type advisory educational When to use this quote - government advisory panels - business strategy - public health initiatives Key Concepts cognitive bias domain specificity knowledge limits Questions to Reflect On - What checks can prevent overconfidence in policy? - How can interdisciplinary collaboration improve outcomes? A Different Perspective Expertise does not guarantee competence in unrelated domains. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Elites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elites/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [We all live in the moment, and we often mistakenly believe that what is true today was true always. Not so in politics, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-all-live-in-the-moment-and-we-often-mistakenly-believe-that-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [So frequently we mistakenly believe that our children need more things, when in reality their silent pleadings are simply for more of our time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/so-frequently-we-mistakenly-believe-that-our-children-need-more/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“If you give the police information that turns out to be inaccurate, and the police mistakenly believe that you were lying to them on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-duane/if-you-give-the-police-information-that-turns-out-to-be-inaccurate/) [James Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-duane/) > [We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-always-overestimate-the-change-that-will-occur-in-the-next-two/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [To measure up to all that is demanded of him, a man must overestimate his capacities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/to-measure-up-to-all-that-is-demanded-of-him-a-man-must-overestimate/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [People always overestimate how complex business is. This isn't rocket science. We've chosen one of the world's simplest professions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/people-always-overestimate-how-complex-business-is-this-isn-t-rocket/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [People often overestimate what will happen in the next two years and underestimate what will happen in ten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/people-often-overestimate-what-will-happen-in-the-next-two-years-and/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Reasonably accurate appraisal of one's own capabilities is, therefore, of considerable value in successful functioning. Large misjudgments of personal efficacy in either direction have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-bandura/reasonably-accurate-appraisal-of-one-s-own-capabilities-is-therefore/) [Albert Bandura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-bandura/) > [I'm never going to overestimate the clout of my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-m-never-going-to-overestimate-the-clout-of-my-job/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [I have in the past tended to overestimate the amount of change I can affect in the short run and then not fully appreciate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-west/i-have-in-the-past-tended-to-overestimate-the-amount-of-change-i-can/) [Harry West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-west/) > [The size of your problem is nothing compared with your ability to solve them. Don't overestimate your problems and underestimate yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-size-of-your-problem-is-nothing-compared-with-your-ability-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Most people overestimate others' talents and underestimate their own.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-woodward/most-people-overestimate-others-talents-and-underestimate-their-own/) [Orrin Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-woodward/) > [“To overestimate myself is to make myself my own god. To underestimate myself is to make myself my own demon. And the curse of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/to-overestimate-myself-is-to-make-myself-my-own-god-to-underestimate/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Don't overestimate the decency of the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/don-t-overestimate-the-decency-of-the-human-race/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-almost-impossible-to-overestimate-the-value-of-true-humility/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## More by Jayson Lusk > [“The nutritional composition of beef provides much-needed protein, vitamins and iron… Let us also not gloss over what is beef's most obvious benefit: Livestock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-lusk/the-nutritional-composition-of-beef-provides-much-needed-protein/) [Jayson Lusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-lusk/) > [“The hypocrisy is astounding. So now, “in the City by the Bay, if you want to roller skate naked down Castro Street wearing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-lusk/the-hypocrisy-is-astounding-so-now-in-the-city-by-the-bay-if-you-want/) [Jayson Lusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-lusk/) > [“There is no perfect government except in textbooks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-lusk/there-is-no-perfect-government-except-in-textbooks/) [Jayson Lusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-lusk/) > [“You see, the genetics of the corn used in those fritters are nothing like what Mother Nature originally created.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-lusk/you-see-the-genetics-of-the-corn-used-in-those-fritters-are-nothing/) [Jayson Lusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-lusk/) > [“modern liberalism “is an ideology of good intentions” wrapped up in a “cult of action.”16”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-lusk/modern-liberalism-is-an-ideology-of-good-intentions-wrapped-up-in-a/) [Jayson Lusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-lusk/) [Explore all 6 Jayson Lusk quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-lusk/) ## More Elites quotes > [This is what I say about the scorn of the media elite: I wear their scorn as a badge of honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-quayle/this-is-what-i-say-about-the-scorn-of-the-media-elite-i-wear-their/) [Dan Quayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-quayle/) > [The idea of a bowed and terrified liberal minority during McCarthy's 'reign of terror' is poppycock. Then as now, all elite opinion was against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/the-idea-of-a-bowed-and-terrified-liberal-minority-during-mccarthy-s/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [This is the culmination of a lot of people's vision. I think this is just another step towards making Central Michigan football among the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kelly/this-is-the-culmination-of-a-lot-of-people-s-vision-i-think-this-is/) [Kevin Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kelly/) > [The majority of Arab people would side with Russia and China, not with the West. And they'd throw their 'elites' groomed in and by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-vltchek/the-majority-of-arab-people-would-side-with-russia-and-china-not-with/) [Andre Vltchek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-vltchek/) > [Above all, the listener should be able to understand the poem or the song, not be forced to unravel a complicated, self-indulgent puzzle. Offer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucinda-williams/above-all-the-listener-should-be-able-to-understand-the-poem-or-the/) [Lucinda Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucinda-williams/) > [The anger I felt when the ACLU tried to disenfranchise me because my religious stayed with me. These are dangerous people who make dangerous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hyde/the-anger-i-felt-when-the-aclu-tried-to-disenfranchise-me-because-my/) [Henry Hyde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hyde/) > [The behavior and reactions of the oppressed, which lead the oppressor to practice cultural invasion, should evoke from the revolutionary a different theory of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/the-behavior-and-reactions-of-the-oppressed-which-lead-the-oppressor/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) > [I pretend no originality in observing that mass education was motivated in part by the perceived need to "educate them to keep them from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-pretend-no-originality-in-observing-that-mass-education-was/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Dependency arguments often come from elites - either aid agencies or governments - and say something about attitudes to poor people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-harvey/dependency-arguments-often-come-from-elites-either-aid-agencies-or/) [Paul Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harvey/) > [Professional football's a tough game. It's a lot of contact. It's a lot of wear and tear on your body. You've got elite athletes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-urschel/professional-football-s-a-tough-game-it-s-a-lot-of-contact-it-s-a-lot/) John Urschel > [I think there's just been this "thing" that's developed, this way that we have of talking about our music that alienates people. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/missy-mazzoli/i-think-there-s-just-been-this-thing-that-s-developed-this-way-that/) [Missy Mazzoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/missy-mazzoli/) > [ Skilled shortages in America exist because we are shielding our skilled labor force from world competition. \[Visa quotas\] have been substituted for the wage… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/skilled-shortages-in-america-exist-because-we-are-shielding-our/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [A nation as such does not give aid to another nation. More precisely, the common citizens of our country, through their taxes, give to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-parenti/a-nation-as-such-does-not-give-aid-to-another-nation-more-precisely/) [Michael Parenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-parenti/) > [The government built the grid to favor one industry over others. But I don't hear any conservatives screaming about that. Folks don't understand that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/the-government-built-the-grid-to-favor-one-industry-over-others-but-i/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [South Africa is labouring to find its revolutionary path; the colours of the Rainbow Nation have difficulty blending together; the wealthy elites (white, black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/south-africa-is-labouring-to-find-its-revolutionary-path-the-colours/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) [Browse all 615 Elites quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elites/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Elites mistakenly believe they know more than they actually do, and successes within their own specialties of knowledge lead them to overestimate their competence in other areas—such as policy”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jayson Lusk" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-lusk/elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more-than-they-actually-do-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Elites" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-lusk/elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more-than-they-actually-do-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jayson-lusk-57603_knowledge_elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more_1329615.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jayson-lusk-57603_knowledge_elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more_1329615.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/jayson-lusk-57603_knowledge_elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more_1329615.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Elites mistakenly believe they know more than they actually do, and successes within their own specialties…” — Jayson Lusk", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jayson Lusk", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-lusk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Elites mistakenly believe they know more...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-lusk/elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more-than-they-actually-do-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-lusk/elites-mistakenly-believe-they-know-more-than-they-actually-do-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```