In the old movieMonty Python and the Holy Grail, we see a common fear lived out.
A knight is asked a riddle.
Its silly, but its relatable.
Particularly for leaders, many of us are reluctant to admit when we dont know what to do.
It can feel vulnerable; perhaps even weak.
But what if we went in a different direction?
What if, when we dont know what to do, we simply said so?
Would we, too, be launched into the ravine?
Would our stakeholders head for the hills?
Recently, I decided to find out.
In April 2023, I became aware of a public health communications need in Nigeria.
But there was one, big complicating factor: I had no expertise regarding Nigeria.
But I dont know how to do it in this context.
Can you guide me?
Four key things happened on that journey things that are likely to be beneficial for you as well.
Parker gave me a great gift: he insisted that I exploremore preciselythe things that I didnt know.
Now, I needed to get specific about my knowledge gaps.
Parker insisted that I define the problem before designing a solution.
This brought huge clarity.
If not, work through The Five Ws.
Can you help me find someone like that?
This was critical because it meant that I could turn to the power of referrals.
Once you know what sort of thing you are looking for, it is way easier to find it.
The takeaway for you: Do you know the kind of expert(s) you need?
Who in your data pipe might know those people?
Here, asking two key questions opened up enormous insights.
First, What do people usually get wrong about the way your field works in your specific situation?
And second, What am Inotseeing?
But both can generate valuable insights.
Put simply: He knew, and I asked, so he explained.
The takeaway for you: Are you ready to ask the tough, vulnerable questions?
If not, why not?
Separate Preferences From the Effective Approach
Good Loud Media uses music for public health communications.
And so, we commissioned a dozen pieces of music from Nigerian creatives.
Eventually, we had to choose one for the outreach.
I had my preferences.
But this experiment inhumilityrequired, yet again, that I admit that I didnt know.
I couldnt say how a mid-twenties Nigerian living in Lagos would respond to one song versus another.
So I relied on my experts, and they made a choice that surprised me.
They were right, as proven by audience feedback soon after launch.
(One listener wrote, Ive listened to this a dozen times just today.
Exactly what we all hoped for!)
The takeaway for you: Are you clear on the dividing line between your preferences and your expertise?
It turns out that humility can yield impressive results.
(And I was never in any ravine-related peril!)
What if you decided to find out?
