Eric Hartwig is an Excel expert, avid enthusiast, and philosopher.
Eric Hartwig raises an important point about the responsibility of those with experience to support others who are still learning. We’ve all been beginners at some point, regardless of the field, and many of us have grown through the help of mentors who have been there before us. Giving back, in this sense, feels like the natural and appropriate thing to do.
Yet, there’s another side to this. As experienced professionals, we often notice when someone is taking advantage of those who are still learning. Unfortunately, this is something that happens all too often—especially in today’s world of social media. This exploitation can range from misleading marketing tactics to content creators positioning themselves as experts while relying on manipulation rather than substance.
What, then, is our responsibility when we encounter this? Should we expose these practices? Should we remain silent and let others figure it out on their own? Or—more cynically—should we join the bandwagon, recognizing that this manipulation can be quite lucrative?
The Ethical Dilemma
Let’s break down the three options in this ethical dilemma, particularly as they apply to the modern world of online learning and social media influence.
Option 1: Call It Out
Eric’s point rests here: if you have knowledge, experience, and a moral compass, you should feel obligated to help others by calling out bad practices when you see them. When we identify practices that prey on the ignorance of learners, it is our duty to stand up and say something. In doing so, we protect those who may not yet know how to distinguish between genuine learning and manipulation.
This is especially true in fields where expertise can make a significant difference—like Excel, for example. If we see people pushing content that misleads others into thinking they’re learning something valuable, but in reality, they’re being sold a simplified or impractical version of the truth, then it’s on us to step in. By calling out those who exploit learner ignorance, we fulfill a duty to guide others, as we were once guided.
Of course, calling it out comes with risks. Conflict, pushback, and even the loss of popularity or opportunities might follow. It takes courage to call out questionable practices, particularly when those behind them are influential figures. But it is an essential stand for anyone who believes in the value of true learning.
Option 2: Ignore It
A more detached approach would be to simply ignore what’s happening. After all, some argue, the world is full of charlatans—it’s the learner’s responsibility to avoid falling into their traps. This “buyer beware” mentality suggests that if someone is misled, it’s because they didn’t do enough research or were too naive.
In the context of Excel, for example, this might mean seeing people promote overly simplistic content like flashy Power Query demonstrations or dynamic arrays tutorials that look impressive but offer little real-world value. By choosing to ignore it, you remain focused on your own work and clients, without getting involved in what others are doing, even if you recognize the harm.
There’s a certain rationality to this perspective. People will learn, one way or another. Sometimes, getting burned by misinformation can be an important part of the learning process. But for those of us who have the knowledge and experience, is it enough to look the other way when we could prevent others from making the same mistakes?
Option 3: Join Them
Then there’s the third, most cynical option: join them. If the trend is toward manipulation, clickbait content, and viral tutorials that oversimplify complex subjects, then why not get on board? It’s clear that this approach is lucrative—many content creators drive expensive cars and live in large houses thanks to the following they’ve built by playing the social media game.
If you can’t beat them, join them, right?
In the Excel world, this could mean abandoning the depth and nuance of enterprise-level problem solving in favor of creating easily digestible content that racks up likes, subscribes, and maybe even book deals. Instead of focusing on complex data management solutions or scalable processes that offer true value, you could show people how to do trendy tasks like unpivoting data or creating flashy dashboards, gaining popularity at the expense of meaningful impact.
Social Media’s Influence
This dilemma is particularly pronounced in the age of social media, where influence often isn’t based on knowledge, evidence, or value, but on charisma, presentation, and sheer magnetism. With platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok driving behavior, people often believe what they see not because it’s backed by reason, but because the person presenting it seems credible—or simply looks good doing it.
This type of influence is dangerous. It manipulates people into following trends without understanding the substance behind them. And as professionals who can see through this facade, the question becomes: is it our responsibility to protect those who can’t? Or is it better to leave them to figure it out on their own?
The Bigger Question
In reflecting on Eric Hartwig’s original point, it becomes clear that this ethical dilemma is something all experienced professionals will face at some point. Do you call out the manipulation when you see it, knowing it may invite conflict? Do you ignore it, allowing others to learn from their own mistakes? Or do you succumb to the temptation of joining the lucrative world of influence, where popularity outweighs substance?
Each option has its pros and cons, but the choice ultimately comes down to your values and how you want to leave your mark. For those of us in fields like Excel, where knowledge can be the difference between chaos and efficiency, perhaps the answer lies in striking a balance—educating others while exposing harmful practices, but without letting the lure of popularity diminish the integrity of what we stand for.
What would you do? Would you call it out, ignore it, or join in?
This is a podcast by Hiran de Silva. Narrated by Charlie.
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