The Curse of Knowledge

One of the first things I had to overcome when I started working with clients 5 years ago was the curse of knowledge: the assumption that people had roughly the same level of knowledge on a given topic as I did (and vice-versa). This was especially true as I was entering a new sector (not-for-profits) and bringing experience from digital-first startups to long-established organisations. It’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve learned. Simplify, go down to the essentials, check whether people are following, and find the right level of detail to keep everyone engaged and growing.

This week, though, I read about the flip side to the curse of knowledge, and it resonated deeply with me:

At one point, this knowledge was new to me, but now that I've internalised it, it's become obvious to me. That means that I struggle to appreciate that it can be mind-blowing to others.

Remembering this might just be the antidote to constantly wondering if the guidance I’m giving our clients, the insights we bring to them, and the solutions we come to as a group are enough.