This blog post was inspired by a presentation that Peter Kaufman, CEO of Glenair and co-author of Poor Charlie’s Almanack, delivered to a group of students some time ago. His talk resonated with me and sparked the idea for this piece. I’ll be expanding on some of the key points he made.
In today’s fast-paced world, many of us feel like we’re drowning in information. With so much to know and understand, how can we make better decisions, solve problems, and think clearly? The answer might not be more specialisation. It might be thinking across disciplines.
Why Multidisciplinary Thinking Wins
Ludwig Wittgenstein, the Austrian philosopher, put it best: “To understand is to know what to do.” Mistakes don’t come from stupidity — they come from blind spots.
They happen when we’re trapped in one domain, seeing the world through a single lens. Or, as the Japanese proverb puts it:
“A frog in a well knows nothing of the ocean.”
To think clearly in a complex world, we need ideas from many wells — science, history, psychology, economics and beyond.
The Three Giant, Time-Tested Knowledge Buckets
Kaufman shares a personal strategy for cultivating a multidisciplinary mindset. He created what he calls “three buckets” of knowledge:
- The Inorganic Universe (13.7 billion years of physics and geology)
- Biology (3.5 billion years of life on Earth)
- Human History (20,000 years of recorded history)
By studying these buckets, one gains the big ideas that span across time. The key is not to dive deep into every subject but to capture the most important insights from each field. This is like creating an “index fund” of knowledge, where you get the best ideas without getting into too much detail.
Mirrored Reciprocation: A Universal Principle
One of Kaufman’s key lessons is the idea of mirrored reciprocation — a principle that shows up in all three buckets.
- In Physics (Bucket 1): Newton’s third law of motion tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This has been true for 13.7 billion years.
- In Biology (Bucket 2): In the animal kingdom, reciprocity is everywhere. How you treat others (humans, animals, etc.) influences how they treat you in return.
For example, treat a cat kindly, and it purrs. Pick it up by the tail — it claws back.
- In Human History (Bucket 3): Across societies, our interactions are based on the same principle — what you give is often what you get back.
For example, if you smile → 98% of people smile back. If you scowl → 98% scowl back. If you do nothing, → you get nothing in return.
The lesson is to go positive, go first — the world mirrors your energy.
Why Most People Miss This
Daniel Kahneman’s research shows that people fear loss more than they value gain.
If you say hi to someone in an elevator, 98% will say hi back. Maybe 2% won’t. The risk? Almost nothing. But most people won’t do it, because they’re too focused on the 2% who might ignore them. Fear of looking foolish holds people back from success and happiness.
Lou Brock once said, “Show me a man afraid of appearing foolish, and I’ll show you a man you can beat every time.”
The result? Most people don’t go first. They don’t smile, don’t reach out, don’t start the hard thing — because they’re afraid to look foolish.
The Magic of Simplicity & Consistency
Simplicity is often more powerful than complexity. Kaufman points to compound interest as an example. It’s not just a financial concept; it’s about dogged, incremental progress over time. Whether it’s building wealth, learning a new skill, or evolving as a person, the key is staying consistent over a long period.
This isn’t just true in finance. It applies to personal growth, evolution, and even business strategy. Success isn’t about bursts of activity; it’s about constant, incremental progress.
Warren Buffett’s life exemplifies the power of steady, incremental progress over time. As he expressed it, “My life has been a product of compound interest.”
Businesses (and Lives) That Succeed Think Win-Win
Whether in business or life, going first and staying consistent is crucial. Kaufman uses the example of raising a puppy. You can’t just give attention one day and neglect it the next. If you’re constant, the puppy becomes loyal for life. Similarly, in business and relationships, the secret is to be consistent and positive. This is mirrored reciprocation in action: what you give is what you get.
Too many businesses operate in win-lose mode: exploit suppliers, underpay staff, cut corners.
But lasting success comes from win-win:
- Employees who feel like owners
- Customers who feel understood
- Partners who want to work with you long-term
Focus on building lasting, positive relationships is the key to both personal fulfilment and business success. That’s why we focus on companies that put stakeholders at the center of everything they do.
The Real Superpower: Seeing the World Through Multiple Lenses
So, why does this approach work so well? Because when you pull ideas from a wide range of fields, you create a broader, more adaptable mindset. You start to see connections between seemingly unrelated things. That’s when real innovation happens.
You understand people better. You make smarter investments. You build stronger teams. And you live a fuller, wiser, more effective life.
As Charlie Munger once said:
“Develop into a lifelong self-learner through voracious reading. Cultivate curiosity and strive to become a little wiser every day.”
We have to remember life is finite and valuable and we need to use it wisely. The secret to happiness and success is to go positive, go first, be patient, curious, be constant and the world will mirror what you put out.
Awet Ghirmay, Head of Investment Research
If you want to learn more about this topic, please find the link here.
More information about our fund can be found here: Hargreaves Lansdown or AJ Bell
Risk warnings
The value of investments and the income derived from them may fall as well as rise. You may not get back what you invest. This communication is for general information only and is not intended to be individual advice. You are recommended to seek competent professional advice before taking any action. All statements concerning the tax treatment of products and their benefits are based on our understanding of current tax law and HM Revenue and Customs practice. Levels and bases of tax relief are subject to change. This blog is based on my own observations and opinions.
