It struck me that you can’t know what you don’t know until someone tells you that you don’t know it. See, that’s the unknown unknown. But once the unknown unknown becomes the known unknown, you begin growing. Yeah, I’m having a little fun with this one 😁 but come with me for the journey! Because I see this mindset as the new growth chart.
Step 1: Unknown unknown becomes Known unknown
😬 ➡ 🤔
Do you have mentors, coaches or advisors around you? These are people who have a sense of what you do and are invested in your growth. They are the ones who can help you identify blind spots. They home in on your unknown unknowns. Some examples:
- Shifting from product to people management. What don’t you know about engaging, supporting and leading people?
- Jumping into a new industry. What technology or vertical knowledge do you need to understand?
- Flagging employee engagement. What new trends, people dynamics, or competitive threats have emerged?
Are you surrounding yourself with people who can help you identify the unknown unknowns? These are blind spots that can become crippling if you don’t address them. But once you’re aware, the unknown unknown becomes a known unknown.
BTW this applies to more than work. I just read a few books, The New Jim Crow, Evicted, and Homelessness is a Housing Problem. My previously unknown unknown has become known and now I need to figure out what I want to do about it.
Step 2: Known unknown becomes Known known
🤔 ➡ 🧐
OK, once you’ve identified what you didn’t know, you can focus on deepening your understand. Research, one-on-one discussions, store checks, consumer engagements… these are all great ways to learn about your area of in-expertise. Because while others can help you identify blind spots, you own the next step in shaping your understanding of that area.
Referring to my new awareness of the homeless problem in the United States, I’m going to deepen my understanding in 2025 and define what I can do about it. Now that I’m aware, this will become part of my Social Legacy.
Step 3: Known known become Mastered known
🧐 ➡ 😎
After learning, researching, listening, and understanding, you develop a plan to grow your expertise and master the area. You’ve grown from lack of awareness to awareness to intentional development. Now, you can share what you learned with others! And this allows you to consider what’s next.
- If your opportunity was in the area of people management, perhaps you can consider growing your team.
- If you’ve now deepend your understanding of a new industry, how do you add unique value?
- If your blind spot was employee engagement, how can you help others who are struggling?
This new growth chart breaks down the basic steps from blind spot to mastery in a few digestible chunks. Now, why do I think this mindset is helpful?
Sometimes we resist the idea of blind spots, or busy ourselves in defending our expertise or leadership… rather than improving our knowledge base and growing. Hopefully the idea of unknowns and knowns takes down our defensive walls and helps shift us into a growth mindset. Because everyone’s got unknown unknowns. It’s what we do about them that matters.
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