Stop Pretending You Know Everything

Fake knowing is the performance of expertise you don't possess. He says the most effective people are confident in their ability to figure things out. He argues that not knowing is a temporary state that can be overcome with learning.

There's a difference between not knowing and pretending to know.

One builds credibility. The other destroys it.

Not knowing vs. fake knowing

Not knowing is a temporary state. It's the honest admission that you lack information, experience, or understanding about something specific. It's uncomfortable but actionable—you can learn, research, ask questions, or find someone who does know.

Fake knowing is a permanent trap. It's the performance of expertise you don't possess, driven by ego, insecurity, or the misguided belief that admitting ignorance is weakness. Once you fake it, you stop learning. You become invested in defending ...