How can you move past what you think you know?

The idea of “knowingness” comes up a lot in my work, particularly as it relates to confidence and being perceptive. This type of?self-knowingness comes from understanding one's own capabilities, character, feelings, or motivations.

Knowingness, as described by Jonathan Lear in his book?Open Minded (1998), refers to?an unconscious resistance to understanding.?As Lear explains, the stance of "already knowing" acts as a defense mechanism, which can prevent you from seeking new knowledge or insights. Consider this:

• How do you recognize knowingness in yourself or others??
• Do you feel like you know an answer even before the question is asked??
• When you receive new information, does it affect your course of action or behavior? Or, do you carry on as if you knew this information all along?

We?touched on this?in February, but outsized knowingness is a blindspot that gets in the way of a certain level of vulnerability that can then unlock unrealized possibilities. Namely,?moving away from knowingness can open us up to curiosity, and curiosity allows us to explore the unknown and reveal our true potential.?

This year’s London Marathon brought together an extraordinary lineup of women marathon and distance runners, forming an unparalleled field and ultimately exemplifying what can happen when we shift from knowingness to curiosity. Sifan Hassan entered the race clearly knowing herself and her capabilities, limitations, and feelings: “No, no, I’m not the greatest,” she?said. “I’m just OK. And I don’t need to become the greatest. I’m fine the way I am.” Once she was in the race, however, she decided to run with an open mind, and she surprised herself — by?WINNING.?

Coaching Epiphanies

Sifan Hassan shows us how to push past knowingness and explore?what if. Let’s walk through some of the lessons learned from witnessing not just her greatness but also her genuine curiosity.?

• Disrupt knowingness and be open to new possibilities and risks:Certain that she wouldn’t win her first marathon, Hassan?shared?that she told herself, “Just keep going as much as possible and maybe you will surprise yourself.” Challenging her own conviction removed barriers in her mind for what could happen.
• If uncertainty does a number on your anxiety levels, consider re-defining the assignment or goal on your terms:?Uncertainty is uncomfortable, but you can build in ease by setting your own milestones. Having never ran a full marathon or even a half marathon, Hassan decided to focus on the latter as a way to avoid overwhelm.
• Observe and learn from the people in action around you:?You don’t have to break free from knowingness alone; instead, follow the lead of those around you. Hassan shared that she did not practice the water stops, so when she saw a fellow runner sprint off to the right at one point, she thought the runner had made an error or was stopping. But Hassan continued to observe the runner and realized she was stopping for water. Hassan then not only goes back to get water for herself but also extends an act of kindness by offering water to rival, Yalemzerf Yehualaw who won in 2021. Letting go of knowingness allowed Hassan to learn in the moment and then lead with grace and humility.
• Be open to and listen to new ideas:?The most important thing, Hassan said, was finishing the race, “so the next time I know what to do.” Always remember that the process — of disrupting knowingness and leaning into curiosity — is just as important as any outcome and offers an abundance of learning opportunities.?
• Push beyond your insecurities and inexperience:?Again, Hassan knew herself and was quite aware of her inexperience and lack of preparation due to training during Ramadan, but she didn’t become confined by this knowingness. Instead, she pushed past it and found awareness in the unknown. “I learned to be patient and just to run [my] own race,” she said.

In the end, Hassan’s curiosity won over her self-doubt. She took the pressure off and found the energy, fun, and lightness in not knowing.

Black-Led Leadership

When you already know (or think you know), there is nothing new or exciting to learn. This is true in life, and it’s definitely true at work. In supporting Black leaders and their professional development, I often uplift?the power of positive self-talk?— which Jazmin Sawyers, a professional long jumper, did so nicely before she soared 7 feet to win the gold at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in March. Self-doubt — especially when disrupting knowingness — is real, so it’s important that the words that we say to ourselves are encouraging. Some of the most empowering soliloquies happen when no one else is around to hear. If curiosity is the ocean, positive self-talk is the life-preserver ring keeping you afloat.

I invite you to embrace the power of moving past what you think you know. Taking a moment to reflect on and apply the lessons learned from Hassan and Sawyer can be a powerful tool for growth and development as a leader. Stay curious, stay open, and find the energy, fun, and lightness in not knowing.

Thank you for reading!

With love and support,

Michelle