Why knowing is more than gathering information
What does it mean to truly know something? The answer goes far beyond facts and information.
In 30 seconds
Knowing is not just information, but a shift in perspective: deep understanding grows through experience, reflection and openness to change.
Self-knowledge develops when we encounter challenges and contrast ourselves with others, revealing patterns and reshaping how we see ourselves.
Wisdom emerges over a long working life through connection, compassion and learning from setbacks - true knowing transforms how we act and relate.
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For many of us, knowledge starts with information – the facts we can recite, the statistics we can repeat. But as Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour Selin Kesebir explains, deep knowing is something altogether different.
Selin’s research at London Business School focuses on how people integrate knowledge into their sense of self. She describes how real learning happens not in isolation, but through challenge and encounter – whether it’s an experience, a conversation, or even a work of art. “We only learn about ourselves by contrasting ourselves with others,” she explains. “Or by finding ourselves in situations where our current mode of being is not sufficient and we need to dig into ourselves for different kinds of responses.”
Self-knowledge, it turns out, is a journey that requires openness to experience, observation, and reflection. Part of it is opening yourself up to experiences and connections. The second is actually realising what’s happening to you. And the third is reflecting on what you’ve seen and thinking about how that changes you.
But knowing isn’t just about introspection. Julia Gillard’s career in politics offers a powerful example of learning through experience. From the nerves of her first speech in Parliament to the weight of responsibility as Prime Minister of Australia, Julia describes how pivotal moments transformed her sense of identity and how these crucible experiences build resilience and shift how we see ourselves and the world.
The episode delves into the barriers to knowing. Many of us struggle with self-compassion, especially when faced with failure. Selin notes that learning to contextualise setbacks – to distinguish between what’s under our control and what isn’t – is a crucial part of self-knowledge.
Reflection emerges as a central theme - the importance of taking time to make sense of experiences, whether through conversation, journaling, or simply pausing to observe patterns in our lives.
The thread of knowing accumulates gradually, shaped by experience, attention, and connection. Relationships, too, play a vital role. Positive connections help us relax our ego-defences and open ourselves to feedback and growth.
Knowing, then, is not a set of facts but a way of seeing – a shift that stays with us long after the moment has passed. As Selin and Julia’s stories show, it’s forged in the crucible of experience, reflection, and connection. The challenge, as Lynda leaves listeners, is to ask: Where in your life is something beginning to make more sense – not because you’ve been told, but because you’ve come to see it differently?
Living the 100-Year-Life
This episode connects to the Knowing thread in Lynda Gratton’s book Living the 100-Year-Life. It offers a practical reflection: a long working life isn’t just about accumulating knowledge, but about deepening understanding, learning from experience, and seeing yourself and others differently over time.
Key takeaways
True knowing changes how we think, act, and relate, emerging through reflection, challenge and connection.
Information alone isn’t enough. Deep knowledge is activated when it shapes our behaviour and decisions, integrating with our motivations and sense of identity.
Self-knowledge grows through encounters. We learn more about ourselves when we face new situations, contrast with others, and observe recurring patterns in our lives.
Wisdom is built through connection and compassion. Long careers bring setbacks and transitions; learning from them, forgiving ourselves, and seeking support helps us see ourselves and the world with greater clarity.
About the guests
Selin Kesebir is an Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School. Her research examines the psychological and social dynamics that shape human behaviour in organisational contexts, with particular focus on gender, cooperation, competition, inequality, and cultural transmission.
At London Business School, she created and teaches “Wisdom and Happiness,” an elective that encourages students to think beyond career optimisation and consider how to create meaningful, fulfilling lives. She also teaches executives programmes on leadership, negotiation, and influence.
Julia Gillard was the 27th Prime Minister of Australia. She currently serves as the inaugural Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, which through research, practice and advocacy, is addressing women’s under-representation in leadership. In 2021 she was appointed as the Chair of Wellcome, a global charitable foundation which supports science to solve urgent health challenges. She recently completed her appointment leading the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care in South Australia.
Mentioned in this episode
Lynda Gratton
