Know-Do Gaps

In 1637, the famous French philosopher and mathematician, Rene Descartes, also known as the Father of Modern Philosophy, said the words “I Think, Therefore, I Am”. Today, one of our most challenging endeavors can be stated in similar terms, i.e. I Know, Therefore, I Do. To which I say, not so fast and certainly not so easy!

We recently returned from a trip to the Middle East and while there, I had some time to think and get away from the normal day to day “swarm” of activity in which I find myself constantly engulfed. During this time, I started thinking about what I refer to as the “Know-Do Gap”. By this I mean, so many times we know we should do something (or stop doing something) and we don’t. Why is that? If we know, for example, eating too much sugar is bad for us, why do we continue to take in so much sugar every day? And a hundred or so other things that fall into the category of “I know, but I don’t act in accordance with what I know”. 

Certainly, knowing is not enough. As a recent speaker in one of my Vistage group meetings said, "Contrary to popular belief, knowledge is not power; rather it is applied knowledge that equates to power”. Thus, when our individual Know-Do gaps are small, we tend to make the most progress. While learning is vitally important to our success in this ever-changing world, doing is where real progress is made. And it is the Doer's that shape our world....

I coach a number of private CEO’s and other Key Executives regarding their leadership skills, tactics for growing their companies, and a host of other valuable activities. I’m finding the single largest differentiator in the success of these leaders and their companies, amounts to that leader’s ability to consistently narrow their various Know-Do gaps. I’ve had some leaders who come to our discussions with the same issue or challenges week after week and often month after month. It’s clear they know the problem as well as what actions need to be taken, and yet they don’t do anything to resolve it. It becomes frustrating at times to see this behavior and not want to grab them, shake them, and say to them “Go Do What You Know You Need To Do!”.

I'm in the process of taking a closer look at my own Know-Do gaps and working on them. It’s not easy, and harder with some things than others. I know, for example, that more and better sleep is important to good health, and I’ve started being more mindful of that area of my life, taking it more seriously, and adjusting my routine to provide improved sleep. On the other hand, I also know carving out the time for reading or listening to good books is important, and yet I cannot seem to find a way to do more of that. And there are others, of course.

I hope others can think about the Know-Do gaps in their lives and find ways of increasing their Doing, and rely less on simply Knowing. 

Suggestions are welcome! 

What are your Know-Do gaps and what are you doing about them?