But What Do I Know?

"But What Do I Know?"

Early in my career, I'd use this phrase with the utmost sarcasm attached to it. The boss that overstepped just a little to far into an area that I was the subject matter expert in. It was my coping mechanism. It was more of a statement of - "you hired me to do a job that I'm good at and then micro-manage the tasks in a way that slows progress. But what do I know?"

As my career progressed, I realized that it was more of an arrogance on my part to think that I knew the answers - to not take the thoughts of another - or to discount the experiences that others had. "I've seen this 100 times and you think you know better? But what do I know?"

That self-reflection led to a change in me. Or perhaps I had matured (or likely not but perhaps I am a bit wiser). Sometimes I share a perspective and then catch myself thinking, “But what do I know?” The truth is - that phrase has power. It’s a reminder to stay humble, stay curious, and to keep learning. It's part of my own process of looking at challenges, situations, experiences with a fresh set of eyes. To flip the conventional on its head. To lean on what I know but look for what I do not. None of us have all the answers. We just have experiences, lessons, and scars that shape how we see the world.

So here’s to sharing ideas - not because we’re certain, but because we care enough to keep the conversation going. But what do I know?