Not Knowing

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In order to thrive in these worrying times, this fascinating book proposes we head, uncomfortably, towards the unknown, rather than away from it. By developing a unique relationship with Not Knowing we discover a new way of living, working and succeeding in our modern world. This book re-frames the concept of Not Knowing, from being in a fearful place of weakness and ignorance, moving to something we must engage with personally. It introduces us to a new paradigm, where Not Knowing becomes an exciting opportunity, where we are no longer limited by what we already know and our habitual reactions to things that life throws at us, so that deeper knowing can emerge, full of rich possibilities and wisdom. Learn: Why your hard-won knowledge may be holding you back. How to recognise when you are entering your real learning zone. Lessons from people who thrive in the unknown. Powerful ideas that will help you experience joy and possibility, rather than uncertainty and worry.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. 14)
• Introduction (p. 18)
• Part I The dangers of knowledge (p. 24)
• Chapter 1 The Dangers of Knowledge
• 1 Knowledge is powerful (p. 29)
• 2 The allure of the known (p. 34)
• 3 Overconfidence Blinkers (p. 36)
• 4 The limits of specialization (p. 40)
• 5 Wilful Blindness (p. 43)
• 6 The pretence of knowledge (p. 49)
• Chapter 2 Dependency: on Experts and leaders
• 1 The leader who knew too much (p. 57)
• 2 The problem with ôcertainö leaders (p. 61)
• 3 The weight of expectations (p. 67)
• 4 Pretending to know (p. 72)
• 5 Blind obedience to authority (p. 74)
• Chapter 3 Growth of the Unknown
• 1 Knowledge Keeps Changing (p. 81)
• 2 More Complex, more Ambiguous (p. 83)
• 3 Complicated - complex chaotic (p. 85)
• 4 Mishandling Complexity (p. 91)
• Part II The Edge (p. 96)
• Chapter 4 Finisterre
• 1 Arriving at Finisterre (p. 101)
• 2 Avoiding the Unknown (p. 105)
• 3 Fear of Incompetence (p. 108)
• 4 Reactions at the Edge (p. 115)
• 5 The Call to cross the edge (p. 126)
• Chapter 5 Darkness illuminates
• 1 A Reframing of not knowing (p. 133)
• 2 What can we learn from the inhabitants of the unknown? (p. 137)
• 3 The artist - the space between angels and demons (p. 141)
• 4 The explorer - one mountain at time (p. 145)
• 5 The psychotherapist - the way of unknowing (p. 148)
• 6 The scientist - Freedom to deviate (p. 151)
• 7 The entrepreneur - discovering whatÆs next (p. 154)
• Part III "Negative" Capabilities (p. 157)
• Chapter 6 Empty Your Cup
• 1 Beginner's mind (p. 163)
• 2 From control to trust (p. 170)
• 3 Hold on to purpose and values (p. 176)
• 4 Let go (p. 180)
• 5 Say "I don't know" (p. 187)
• 6 Entertain doubt (p. 191)
• 7 Work with resistance (p. 795)
• 8 Embodied not knowing (p. 199)
• 9 Prepare the Ground (p. 201)
• Chapter 7 close your eyes to see
• 1 Close your eyes to see (p. 209)
• 2 Observe (p. 214)
• 3 Create space for silence (p. 277)
• 4 Listen (p. 222)
• 5 Challenge assumptions (p. 225)
• 6 Challenge authority and expertise (p. 228)
• 7 Question (p. 232)
• Chapter 8 leap in the dark
• 1 Improvise (p. 241)
• 2 Generate multiple hypotheses (p. 246)
• 3 Bring diverse voices together (p. 251)
• 4 Take meaningful risk (p. 255)
• 5 Explore (p. 259)
• 6 Experiment (p. 262)
• 7 Embrace mistakes (p. 266)
• 8 Fail faster (p. 270)
• 9 Why not? (p. 273)
• 10 Take responsibility (p. 277)
• Chapter 9 delight in the unknown
• 1 Foolishness and play (p. 283)
• 2 Humour (p. 286)
• 3 Curiosity and creativity (p. 289)
• 4 Boldness and vulnerability (p. 292)
• 5 Compassion and empathy (p. 296)
• 6 Solidarity (p. 299)
• 7 Fluidity (p. 302)
• 8 Antifragility (p. 307)
• Final words (p. 572)
• Appendix The path is made by walking
• 1 Live the questions (p. 317)
• 2 Experiment (p. 525)
• Acknowledgements (p. 332)
• About the authors (p. 338)
• References (p. 342)