Intellectual Humility - the critical skill for the Ambiguity Age

I made my first skill prediction in 2014, a decade later it was common belief that Empathy was a critical leadership capability. After COVID I shifted my focus to curiosity in recognition to the massive acceleration of change.

Today, I look back on these predictions with nostalgia, similar to how I feel about the beginning of my parenting journey.

Simpler times.

I still hold both are important, but somehow not sufficient to be effective in today's world of work.

As I reflect on people I am leaning on for ideas and inspiration, I recognize there is one trait that separates those who are breaking ground (new ideas, new tactics, new strategies, new business models...) and those who are proformative. The difference is intellectual humility. People who are visibly curious and willing to change their minds as they learn are magnetic and insightful - the rest not so much...

I recognize there is a lot of personal bias in the above, but I am confident in the insight.

When Amy and I started the podcast we wanted to show a different type of leadership, one that is not just more human (or feminine) but leadership that role models curosity and intellectual humility. Leaning into where we might be wrong and what we need to unlearn to thrive in this new world of work.

As we build momentum into our season 2, we are seeing this show up time and time again in our conversations with guests. We are seeing guests bring their experience and crystalized intellegence with deep curiousity to accelerate their own learning. They are leaning on intellectual humility to re-think what they know and are able to challenge themselves and their assumptions. They are intentionally engaging with people who are not like them, to expand their context and their idea formation.

We are rapidly moving to a moment where humans cannot compete on raw intelligence - machines are outpacing us, but if we are willing to let go our belief that knowing is most important, we open ourselves up to new pathways of excellence.

So start with being curious but don't stop there -- recognize that what you know might not be true forever, and that what worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. Your value can only increase if you are willing to re-frame the definition of success. Your experience is more valuable than ever, but only if you can apply it in a new way. If you can't then it's likely a rapidly depreciating asset.

The Ambiguity Age is a moment of uncertainty for everyone. This is both unsettling AND a massive opportunity. Let's lean in together and figure this out - I believe in us.

_____

Lucky for me, being humble is one of my best qualities.. 😇 😎

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzbAEHdy8oU