As leaders, we are expected to have the answers. We’re the ones who know how to navigate challenges, drive strategy, and inspire our teams. But what if the most powerful thing we could do as leaders in 2025 is to recognise and embrace what we don’t know?

This challenges the traditional notion of leadership; it flips the script on what it means to lead with confidence and competence. Because the reality is, when we embrace the wisdom of not knowing, we open ourselves up to transformative insights, deeper connections, and growth. This kind of leadership is positively deviant; it requires a bold shift from the norm that creates new possibilities and accelerates progress.

Admitting we don’t have all the answers is hard. It feels uncomfortable, even risky. Leaders are supposed to know everything, right? Yet, the wisdom of not knowing is the very thing that can propel us forward. It allows us to step into a space where curiosity, collaboration, and innovation flourish. It’s the very thing that helps us avoid complacency, discover blind spots, and adapt quickly in the face of change. But to access this wisdom, we need to be intentional about uncovering what we didn’t know in 2024.

So, how do we tap into the power of not knowing? How do we use this wisdom to unlock new insights and set ourselves up for a more successful 2025? It starts with asking the right questions. Here are 10 questions designed to help you reflect on what you didn’t know or may have missed in 2024 to uncover the valuable lessons that can fuel your leadership growth in the year ahead:

1. What did we assume was working in 2024 that turned out to be a barrier, not a breakthrough?
2. Where did we let comfort cloud our vision, and what could we have seen if we’d been braver?
3. Which areas did we neglect to challenge because we thought we had all the answers?
4. What moments this year called for innovation, but we missed them because we were too focused on routine?
5. Where did our team outgrow us and push forward faster than we realized?
6. What did we overlook in our own development that, if addressed, could have accelerated our leadership?
7. How often did we settle for “good enough” instead of pursuing what was truly exceptional?
8. What were the unspoken truths within our organization that we didn’t know we needed to address?
9. In what areas did we fail to rise up to the next level of leadership because we didn’t even see it was possible?
10. What could we have done differently in 2024 if we’d focused less on certainty and more on curiosity?

These questions aren’t meant to criticize—they’re designed to open the door to deeper reflection and growth. By acknowledging the gaps in our knowledge and examining where we’ve been unaware, we free ourselves to learn and adapt faster. When we recognise what we didn’t know, we become more attuned to the opportunities that were hidden in plain sight.

As you review 2024 and prepare for 2025, why not choose three of these questions and take time to reflect on the wisdom they uncover. And then choose three more and take them to your team to do the same.

The wisdom of not knowing isn’t about weakness—it’s a strength. It’s a powerful tool that allows you to lead with curiosity, inspire new thinking, and encourage your team to explore new possibilities beyond the familiar.