It Won’t Work. I Just Know It!
Throughout my life, I often found myself in situations where I consciously chose not to participate in a group discussion. But I wasn’t always like that. I used to love participating, organizing, sharing, and contributing to whatever the situation was. But over time, especially when I found myself surrounded by people who were much smarter than me or weren’t too interested in listening to my opinion, I became quieter and quieter; I returned to a place of safety. I participated less and less and didn’t speak up as much as I used to.
Have you found yourself in a situation where your feedback was encouraged, but you decided to sit back and not participate because you just knew others wouldn’t take your contribution seriously? Have you ever thought, “I’ve been there before, and it didn’t work, so I’m just going to sit back and observe the situation from the sidelines without saying a word?”
I know, I have… When I find myself in a similar situation, I know I am at my knowledge threshold. I judge the situation based on my previous experience, and I choose not to bother with contributing. It might be because I believe others aren’t interested in what I have to say or offer. After all, I’m an expert, a judge of my own thinking and actions to keep my mouth shut. And with time, I believe in a story that I know better than to speak up; it never worked before.
When my friends and colleagues asked me why I wasn’t pursuing a leadership track, my answer was I didn’t know anything about leadership. Even if I wanted to become a leader in the future, I didn’t know where to start. At that point, I didn’t know what steps I should be taking that would take me there, so I went on a quest. I was determined to find out what I needed to do, what training I needed to complete, and how to get the leadership experience required to qualify for the job. I secretly started believing that there was a chance of me becoming a leader even though I didn’t know where to start.
I was at my knowledge threshold again. But this time, I was afraid that I didn’t know enough. I wanted something big, something so aspirational that it created butterflies in my belly. I was determined and scared at the same time. I knew if I became a leader, I could create something beautiful, I could help others to pursue their dreams, and could be the leader I always wanted for myself.
My road to leadership was full of knowledge thresholds. There were times when I knew too much based on my previous experience, so I decided to wait to take action. Somehow I knew it wouldn’t take me where I wanted to go; I thought it’d never work. But I’ve tried it before, so why bother this time?
Other times, I didn’t take any action from fear of not knowing enough. Like with my leadership story, I wanted something so aspirational, something I’ve never done before, which came with the possibility that it might not work. Or what if it just might? Either option was equally scary. I had a choice; I could go back to my previous role, where I knew exactly what to do, or I could take chances and become the leader of my dream.
In retrospect, I’m glad I decided to follow my calling. I went to school and got a degree that allowed me to start applying for leadership jobs. I participated in leadership programs and training to learn from other leaders and expand my network of people who could help me on my journey. I asked for help and mentorship. Finally, one day the opportunity came; I got my dream job. I built my team. I set my vision in place. I continued to learn and expand my knowledge to be the best leader my team ever had.
I never stop learning and growing. I continue to find myself at the knowledge threshold more often than I care to admit. I know there is always more to learn, explore, and experiment with. There is always room for improvement.
I’m glad I followed my dream. I’m honored to be part of such an incredible team. I’m privileged to teach others how to be the best leaders for their teams and the organization.
There was something else I realized. Even before I started my leadership journey and encountered my first leadership knowledge threshold, I was already a leader. Just because I didn’t have that in my job title, I already led people and encouraged them to be a better versions of themselves. I showed them there was a different way of doing, thinking, and being in our professional and personal lives.
I hope you can notice when you find yourself at the knowledge threshold. And once you acknowledge it, pause and listen to the message the threshold is trying to tell you. What is it trying to teach you? What can you learn from it? What can you do? Who do you need to become to cross that threshold despite the knowledge you might have based on previous experience or the lack of knowledge because you’ve never done it before?
Follow your heart. Follow your dream. Follow the path that is right before your eyes. And cross the threshold.
