Not Knowing

It may be more valuable than you think.

A key leadership skill is the ability to change course when the status quo isn’t acceptable anymore.

Signs that something is off, missing, or that we have a longing to achieve more, point to an existing situation that has run its course. Unfortunately, we don’t always know how to make the desired change because we haven’t done before what we may want to do now. Or we may not even know what we need to do and struggle with how to make any change.

This place of “not knowing” can be confusing, leading to inaction—especially if we’re trying to take ourselves or our organization in a completely new direction.

People who are skillful at navigating change when they don’t know how are adept at being open and curious to learning. They focus on what they want to accomplish even when they don’t know how to make it happen.

These leaders don’t let not knowing stop them from moving forward. They engage with the fear that not knowing produces from a place of curiosity, openness and exploration. They understand that what we get is what we’re looking for. In other words, if we’re curious and looking for options, we will see options. If we’re looking for negativity or why we can’t do something, then that is what we will see.

For these leaders, not knowing becomes a place to start action rather than a place of inaction. Taking action without knowing is a leadership skill that allows a new future to be created. If the status quo isn’t acceptable, embrace not knowing. You may be surprised at the future you create.

Many thanks to Sameer Dua, author of “Declaring Breakdowns.”