Foreword 14
Introduction 18
Part I The dangers of knowledge 24
Chapter 1 The Dangers of Knowledge
1. Knowledge is powerful 29
2. The allure of the known 34
3. Overconfidence Blinkers 36
4. The limits of specialization 40
5. Wilful Blindness 43
6. The pretence of knowledge 49
Chapter 2 Dependency: on Experts and leaders
1. The leader who knew too much 57
2. The problem with “certain” leaders 61
3. The weight of expectations 67
4. Pretending to know 72
5. Blind obedience to authority 74
Chapter 3 Growth of the Unknown
1. Knowledge Keeps Changing 81
2. More Complex, more Ambiguous 83
3. Complicated - complex chaotic 85
4. Mishandling Complexity 91
Part II The Edge 96
Chapter 4 Finisterre
1. Arriving at Finisterre 101
2. Avoiding the Unknown 105
3. Fear of Incompetence 108
4. Reactions at the Edge 115
5. The Call to cross the edge 126
Chapter 5 Darkness illuminates
1. A Reframing of not knowing 133
2. What can we learn from the inhabitants of the unknown? 137
3. The artist - the space between angels and demons 141
4. The explorer - one mountain at time 145
5. The psychotherapist - the way of unknowing 148
6. The scientist - Freedom to deviate 151
7. The entrepreneur - discovering what’s next 154
Part III "Negative" Capabilities 157
Chapter 6 Empty Your Cup
1. Beginner's mind 163
2. From control to trust 170
3. Hold on to purpose and values 176
4. Let go 180
5. Say "I don't know" 187
6. Entertain doubt 191
7. Work with resistance 795
8. Embodied not knowing 199
9. Prepare the Ground 201
Chapter 7 close your eyes to see
1. Close your eyes to see 209
2. Observe 214
3. Create space for silence 277
4. Listen 222
5. Challenge assumptions 225
6. Challenge authority and expertise 228
7. Question 232
Chapter 8 leap in the dark
1. Improvise 241
2. Generate multiple hypotheses 246
3. Bring diverse voices together 251
4. Take meaningful risk 255
5. Explore 259
6. Experiment 262
7. Embrace mistakes 266
8. Fail faster 270
9. Why not? 273
10. Take responsibility 277
Chapter 9 delight in the unknown
1. Foolishness and play 283
2. Humour 286
3. Curiosity and creativity 289
4. Boldness and vulnerability 292
5. Compassion and empathy 296
6. Solidarity 299
7. Fluidity 302
8. Antifragility 307
Final words 572
Appendix The path is made by walking
1. Live the questions 317
2. Experiment 525
Acknowledgements 332
About the authors 338
References 342