Written by My Collaborative Team member, Kenneth Klabunde

Social psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger are well known for their research on a cognitive bias that leads those of us with the least experience to believe we are much better than we actually are, while those with the greatest experience often possess the highest levels of self-doubt -- the Dunning-Kruger effect.

And it applies to Collaborative Practice.

I’ve been a financial professional for 24 years, was first introduced to the concept of Collaborative practice in late 2017, trained in May 2018, and have been actively working as a Collaborative financial specialist for over two years now, on twelve cases and counting. 

And still, in my own estimation, on the Dunning-Kruger curve I’m at “It’s just starting to make sense.” And I routinely slip back on the curve as I work alongside those with far more experience and watch them skillfully bringing peace to families.

This is hard work, and it is impossible to overstate the critical role that practice groups like MCT play in our development as Collaborative professionals. I have been fortunate. Early on I was welcomed into the Collaborative community with open arms, mentored, and given the opportunity to fail by numerous attorneys and mental health professionals who were willing to take a risk on me.

Most importantly, they smiled and nodded in agreement when I realized that, no, this is not easy, and the Dunning-Kruger curve is much longer than I anticipated it would be.

On my Collaborative journey I have been embraced by experts, and now friends, that I continue to learn from, and I extend my sincerest gratitude to each of you.

Kenneth Klabunde, MSFP, CFP^®, CDFA^®

Kenneth is the founding principal of Precedent Financial Strategies and is a Collaborative financial neutral specializing in the finances of divorcing physicians. In addition to finance and divorce certifications, he is a trained divorce mediator and holds a masters degree in financial planning. Kenneth serves clients throughout the United States from his offices in Cincinnati and Indianapolis, and can be reached at [email protected]