I recently recorded a podcast with Newell Eaton, a colleague and close friend of mine, during which we discussed the Power of Not Knowing.
As leaders, we often achieve roles with power and responsibility due to our subject-matter expertise–our specialized knowledge and abilities to solve problems with efficient and creative solutions. It is our job to direct others using our knowledge and experience. In other words, we’re supposed to know what we’re talking about.
But the relentless change of life and business makes staying on the ball a constant challenge. While we all must be continuous learners, there’s a limit to how much we can keep in our heads. We have never, and will never, know everything we need to know.
There’s something quite beautiful about this if you allow yourself to see it. In not knowing, there’s a need for others. Developing connections with the diverse population around us offers a collective intelligence that far surpasses any one of our individual intelligences.
Moreover, not knowing can be a kind of liberation. Knowledge is power, but it also brings limitations. When we know (or think we know) we have expectations, we fall into routines, and we think inside the box. Not knowing, on the other hand, facilitates wonder, imagination, and the opportunity to create.
That said, not knowing is not easy. Leaders who find themselves stumped can feel “less-than,” or even incompetent. I’ve fallen into this trap myself. But I’m always challenging myself to quiet the judgemental voice in my head in order to create space for new possibilities.
Every year, I identify a new word to serve as my annual theme. It’s an intention setting process I picked up from the book One Word by Jon Gordon. The word becomes a sort of “north star” for navigating work and life. My word this year is Adventure. I want more wonder and exploration in my work and life and I feel that I can find that through a willingness to be more adventurous. To do this, I recognize that I must lean into what I do not know in every way. I must explore what I don’t know about myself, others, my environment…every aspect of being.
During the podcast, Newell gave me a list of questions related to not knowing. They are grounded in the idea that knowing is an “inside job”–it starts with us. The object is not to come up with definitive answers to the questions, but rather to explore and discover, question and be with the question. I have them written down in several places: my journal, on a large paper in my office, and in my planner. I reflect on them in thought and by journaling. So far, these questions have not necessarily brought me to new knowledge, but they’ve certainly exposed me to new ways of thinking. And that is the great gift of not knowing: it frees up space in your mind to explore new paths.
I’d like to share the list with you in hopes that it might offer more adventure, wonder and imagination for you and your leadership!
What am I part of? (Purpose)
Who am I? (Identity)
What is important? (Belief and Values)
How / What will I learn? (Capabilities)
What will I do differently? (Behavior)
When and where am I? (Environment)
The pressure of knowing and having the answers all the time is very real with me. The above list of questions and the theme of adventure, wonder and exploration is scary, vulnerable and exciting. I urge you to nudge yourself in a new direction, if only in a single experiment or step, if only in a tiny way everyday!
Keep growing! And if you’re interested in bringing a spirit of adventure to your life and leadership, send me an email at bill@getemergent.com. I’d be happy to help!
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