Power Tool: Knowledge vs. Ignorance

When prevalent ‘knowledge’ is questioned and things are seen as they are (i.e., if the fish can be seen clearly) paradigm shifts happen; whether its Copernicus propounding Helio-Centric theory, or Kepler proposing  less  than  perfect (read  circular)  elliptical orbits  for  planets  revolving  around the  sun or Einstein equating gravity and acceleration. These people were able to see the ‘fish’ and build an entirely different picture of the reality and explain the ‘observable’ phenomena much better than their predecessors. All because they were successfully able to not wear any ‘tinted’ glasses of ‘prevailing’ or ‘accepted’ knowledge and question afresh. I see the role of Coach as being no different.

Any knowledge that we acquire is ‘contextual’. When that hidden ‘context’ is forgotten the knowledge gained grows stale and at times becomes even harmful. What was applicable in 7th  century AD is no longer applicable in 21st   century. It is this ‘attachment’ to knowledge that gives  rise to many mis- understandings  between  people  of  different  cultures,  different  countries,  different  ages  or  even different perspectives.

Perspective = Facts + Context (as I understand it)

Most of the arguments or disagreements center around ‘facts’ but seldom is context given the importance that it deserves. As a Coach it is very important to understand ‘where the client is coming from’. This ability to comprehend the ‘context’ in addition to the ‘facts’ that the Client is placing in front us becomes extremely important if as a Coach we want the Client to explore the root cause of the concern or the at hand issue and not just talk about the symptoms.

Coach, Knowledge and Ignorance

As  a  coach knowledge  is  a  two-edged  sword.  If  used  correctly  it helps  the  Client and the  Coach. Knowledge about human psychology, emotions, communication skills, interpersonal conflicts, workplace pressures etc., all help the Coach to become more empathic towards the Client. But if the Coach is too ‘attached’ to what he / she knows then he / she can never grow to become a good coach.

To develop this conscious ‘detachment’ from what we ‘know’ and be willing to unlearn what already has been learnt are some of the biggest challenges that we face on our long journey of being a Coach. Meditation, and Self-introspection help in this process of Self-Discovery where we can ‘empty’ our prejudices, beliefs, attitudes and become more open to what the life has to offer us. In that state, every interaction with Client becomes a learning opportunity because the Coach’s mind is in a constant state of tabula rasa. Coach is more open to learning rather than carry any judgments within. Imagine how would that interaction be where the Coach is present in the now and is willing to explore all possible paths that the Client wants to explore or the interaction is leading to without having a agenda of his / her own. Coach and Client would then be in a state of FLOW, in a state of Tango with one insight leading to the next and the interaction being enriching both for the Client and the Coach. It is not easy but possible.

Ignorance is BLISS. What you don’t know need not be unlearned and it cannot ‘interfere’ with your thinking processes. Sometimes we don’t know we know and in those situations we get in to auto-pilot or