How to Avoid the Curse of Knowledge

How to Avoid the Curse of Knowledge

Update: 2025-04-14
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Most leaders overestimate what their team knows. We assume too much, communicate too little, and then get frustrated when people miss the mark.


In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack the Curse of Knowledge —the tendency to forget what it’s like not to know something and share 4 practical ways to lead with more clarity:

✅ Assume nobody knows anything

✅ Define success clearly and repeatedly

✅ Repeat yourself more than you think you should

✅ Ask “What’s unclear?” instead of “Any questions?”


About Clay Scroggins:  Clay Scroggins is a sought-after ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠speaker and leadership coach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠known for his practical and engaging approach to leadership. He is the author of three books, most notably ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Lead When You're Not In Charge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. With a passion for helping leaders thrive in any environment, Clay brings valuable insights and real-world experience to this podcast and his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠weekly email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more at ClayScroggins.com


About Adam Tarnow: Adam Tarnow is a recovering CPA and now a partner at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PeopleWorks International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where he heads the Leadership Development Practice. He is the co-author of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Edge: How to Stand Out by Showing You're All In⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and shares his insights on leadership through his Substack, Beyond the Obvious. Learn more at AdamTarnow.com

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How to Avoid the Curse of Knowledge

How to Avoid the Curse of Knowledge

Clay Scroggins and Adam Tarnow