I talked with a couple people recently who expressed feeling like everyone knows something they don't. Like everyone just was born knowing how to do certain things, while they (who I spoke to) struggle and have uncertainty. I relate to these feelings. I think it's due to a couple reasons:
- When we have incomplete information our brains tend to fill in the gaps with the most terrifying possible stories (erring towards type 1 statistical error, in the pursuit for maximum "safety")
- And that incomplete information is even more incomplete because most of us hide and actively cover up our flaws and uncertainties
- Also we just tend to compare ourselves at our "worst" to others at their "best"
This creates a feedback loop where we all feel more and more uniquely broken and more and more encouraged to hide our supposed unique brokenness.
As a leader, a projected sense of certainty is important. As a human, I think we can all do a bit better job, for ourselves and others, of revealing a bit more of the uncertain reality we grapple with.