The Courage to Be the Least Knowledgeable in the Room
Two days ago, I attended an event in Copenhagen called Science and Cocktails, with a talk titled Puzzles to Unravel the Universe. It was about String Theory and other mind-bending concepts that were completely foreign to me.
My intention in going was simple: I wanted to understand something about the universe. I’ve always been fascinated by it, yet so much of it feels incomprehensible.
I did some research before attending, hoping to grasp at least the basics. Still, I must admit—I understood maybe 35-40% of what was being said. The equations, the terminology, the vastness of the ideas… it all felt beyond my reach.
But that wasn’t the point.
The point was going anyway. The point was stepping into a space where I knew I wouldn’t be the expert, where I might even feel a little lost, and allowing myself to be there fully. And you know what? Something clicked. Even if I couldn’t articulate it perfectly, my understanding expanded just a little.
And now, in true LinkedIn fashion… it got me thinking ??
?? How often do we hold ourselves back from spaces where we don’t feel competent?
?? Do we avoid conversations, experiences, or even people because we’re afraid we won’t "get it"?
?? How willing are we to sit in the discomfort of not knowing?
This goes beyond science lectures. It applies to understanding different cultures, perspectives, or ideas that challenge our worldview. It applies to learning new skills, stepping into leadership, or even just asking questions that might expose our ignorance.
So here’s my invitation to you (and to myself): Let’s be willing to be the least knowledgeable person in the room sometimes. Let’s step into unfamiliar territories with curiosity rather than fear. Because growth doesn’t happen in the comfort of certainty—it happens in the stretch of uncertainty.
When was the last time you allowed yourself to be the “newbie” at something? I’d love to hear.