Is Knowledge Power?

“When it comes to confidence, knowledge is power, but not quite as you think” - Core Confidence

Many women have worked hard with a deep belief that to have more confidence, they need to know more. Unfortunately this is a problem. In chapter 3 of Core Confidence , we unpack this drive to know everything. The underlying fear is not knowing it all, which can feel overwhelming, and so we try to hold it together by learning more and working harder. There is another way - a path to your inner resource of Core Confidence. By cultivating a growth mindset and trusting your expertise, you can transform your way of thinking and be equipped to meet the fast-paced, demanding dynamics of the contemporary workplace.

The cost of relying on knowledge

Too often, we see and hear about female professionals curtailing their contribution in meetings because they are not the ‘expert’.

While acquiring knowledge is important for career advancement, wanting to know everything will most likely hinder your progression, leaving you feeling stuck and in a rut. The false sense of security associated with knowledge acquisition can result in consequences, including:

1. Silence or an inability to perform

2. Arrogance

3. Anxiety??

How do you shift from needing to know it all?

Once you let go of your need to know it all, you no longer need to be right or prove yourself in every situation. It is human nature to want to prove yourself and defend that position; however, there is another way; you can experiment and learn from trying new things, even risk getting something wrong and learning from the experience! This may feel confronting at first, but the powerful personal and professional development that occurs makes it so worthwhile

Letting go of the need to be right

1. Be curious

Seek diverse and dissenting perspectives - lay all the different views out on the table and acknowledge the strengths they each carry.

2. Be prepared

Letting go of previously held opinions can be challenging.

3. Be open

Ask yourself and others, “what other perspectives could be valid?”

There’s a sweet spot between taking a stand and becoming defensive, and it occurs in the space of letting go of the need to be right .?

Moving forward

To develop personally and professionally, the best opportunity lies in your willingness to try new things, take on new perspectives, speak up, take risks and most importantly, get it wrong (over and over again!) Know your stuff and be OKAY with not knowing everything.

Continue reading?Is Knowledge Power?