On not knowing

A student recently asked me why I don’t blog or tweet more about what I do — my job as a design leader and my profession generally. I told them that whilst I enjoy writing, I find there’s already an abundance of observations, advice, and methodologies being foisted online. Do I want to add to them?

Ok, arguably I’m doing it now, (it’s a fair cop). I’m just not drawn to reading about design, per se. I’m not averse to it. I’ll read such articles from time to time and appreciate the golden nuggets I find in them-there hills. I just prefer to learn through doing, rather than looking up answers in advance from people I’ve never met. What works for them might not work for me. And vice versa. We’re different people after all.

Like with skateboarding I learned by falling down, getting up and trying again. I did this until I’d perfected a style that worked for me and proved attractive to others.

An old friend and colleague once wrote of “the infinite possibilities of not knowing”. I liked that. I’ve come to realise that not knowing is great! And the scary part of not knowing only adds to the excitement. Not knowing is an invitation to know. Sure, there’ll be stumbles and bruising along the way. But also accomplishment and growth.

Doing things this way requires you to admit what you don’t know. Contrary to what you might think, this demonstrates a confidence. Asking questions. People like being asked questions. It makes them feel smart and heard. And all the while, it’s you that’s learning.

So dare you figure things out this way? I bet you could. But don’t listen to me.