The power of knowing what you don’t know

It turns out the smarter you are the less likely you are to change your thinking – it’s the ‘I’m not biased’ bias!

In this conversation, organisational psychologist and professor Adam Grant talks animatedly about questioning your beliefs, embracing conflict and surrounding yourself with people who challenge your worldview.

It’s in our areas of greatest expertise that we most risk cognitive entrenchment – becoming stuck with the strategies that have always worked for us. You end up becoming an expert for a world that no longer exists. To avoid this, we need to be rethinking and unlearning, more deliberately and proactively.

Adam shares his experience of having a ‘challenge network’, a group of people who regularly challenge his worldview. Respect people for the way they think, not what they think and be open to a different way of having a conversation.

It was somewhat of a relief to hear that imposter syndrome and thoughts like “what if this new project I’ve been asked to lead is out of my skill set?” can actually improve your decision making – you are more likely to question yourself and seek out new knowledge.

Phew!

A welcome reminder to stay curious, doubtful and flexible!