It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows. ~ EpictetusI remember reading a quote by someone that went something like this; By 20 do something, by 30 know something, by 40 have something and by 50 give something. This week I will celebrate my 35th birthday. According to the quote, I'm supposed to know something. I reflected on what I know this past weekend and here's what I came up with. First, I know that I don’t know as much as I thought. Second, I have too many friends that already know it all. Third, I know that the sun rises every morning. Finally, I know that moments of clarity are some of the most mind blowing experiences I've ever had. One such example of clarity involves reflecting on my professional success. I arrogantly believed that it was what I knew that was propelling my success and that it would be enough to sustain my development in the future. It turns out that it was actually my drive to understand the things I didn't know that was the wind behind my sails. The more I thought I knew, the more treacherous the professional development seas became. What an incredible moment of clarity! I suppose life experiences will do that for you if you just allow them to.
My challenge to you this week is to reflect on what's fueling your motor. Do you refill on the things you know or the things you don't? Do you believe that you already know all there is to know about your partner, your current role at work, or a subject you teach? Or are you willing to accept that there may be some things you've missed. Epictetus was on to something when he said its impossible for us to learn what we think we already know. Our friends and bosses have some colorful words for us during those times when its obvious to them that we don't know nearly all we think we do. Our staff or students also have choice labels for us during those times but with much more at stake. If your direct reports don't believe you have anything to learn from them, they will assume they don't need to effectively communicate with you in the future. I would advise not waiting 35 years to understand the consequences of that.
