Today, let's dive into the concept of the "knowing-doing gap" – a challenge that's been around for a while but is as relevant as ever.

The Knowing-Doing Gap: A 25-Year-Old Challenge

Back in 2000, a book titled "The Knowing-Doing Gap" was published, focusing on helping organizations act on what they know. Interestingly, this challenge hasn't faded over time. Even with a 25-year-old book, organizations are still working on closing this gap. But here's the twist; it's not just an organizational issue – it's something we all grapple with.

So, how do we bridge this gap? Let's break it down into a practical exercise with four steps:

Identifying Improvement Areas

Start by identifying something in your life that could use improvement. It could be a process, an idea, a routine, or a strategy. Pinpoint areas where you can make a positive change.

Selecting a New Approach

Next, think about something you already know but might not be applying. Perhaps it's something you used to do but have since stopped. Consider how reintroducing this knowledge could enhance the situation. This becomes your new approach.

Implementation and Experimentation

Now, take action. Put your new approach into practice. Think of it as an experiment – an opportunity to test your knowledge in a real-world context. Try it out, see what works, and learn from the experience.

Evaluating and Adapting

After trying the new approach, evaluate the results. If it improves the situation, keep doing it. If not, don't be discouraged. Adjust your approach, polish it, or try something else. The key is continuous improvement.

One of the fundamental points to remember is that knowledge is indeed powerful, but its true potential is realized when we act on it. Knowledge informs action, and action drives results. Don't just collect knowledge; use it to make a positive impact.

We often underestimate the value of what we already know. Over time, we accumulate a wealth of insights and experiences. By applying this existing knowledge, we can address challenges more effectively and close the knowing-doing gap.

Stop merely talking about what you know and start applying that knowledge to improve your results. It's a principle I often emphasize in the Remarkable Leadership Podcast – it's not just about what you know; it's about what you do with that knowledge.

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"Stop talking about what you know and make sure you are using that knowledge to improve your results." -@KevinEikenberry

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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