1151: How to Harness the Surprising Power of Ignorance with Alan Gregerman

1151: How to Harness the Surprising Power of Ignorance with Alan Gregerman

Author: How to be Awesome at Your Job May 11, 2026 Duration: 44:55
Alan Gregerman shares why the right kind of ignorance is the secret to driving innovation. — YOU’LL LEARN —  1) How to challenge assumptions that are keeping you stuck 2) Why not knowing can often lead to better solutions 3) Six ways to unlock ignorance as a superpower Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1151 for clickable versions of the links below.  — ABOUT ALAN —  Alan Gregerman is an internationally renowned authority on business strategy, innovation, and hidden potential who has been called “one of the most original thinkers in business today” and “the Robin Williams of business consulting.” As the president and chief innovation officer of Washington, D.C.-based consultancy VENTURE WORKS, a bestselling author, and a sought-after keynote speaker, he focuses on helping companies and organizations unlock the genius in all of their people in order to deliver the most compelling value to their customers. He is also the founder of Passion for Learning, an award-winning nonprofit that teaches girls technology skills as a key to life and career success. His three previous books—The Necessity of Strangers, Surrounded by Geniuses, and Lessons from the Sandbox—challenge conventional thinking about people, the world around us, what it means to be remarkable, and where brilliant ideas actually come from. He’s also the author of the critically acclaimed blog Surrounded by Geniuses. • Book: The Wisdom of Ignorance: Why Not Knowing Can Be the Key to Innovation in an Uncertain World • LinkedIn: Alan Gregerman • Website: AlanGregerman.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW —  • Book: Around the World in Eighty Days (Macmillan Collector's Library) by Jules Verne • Book: Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes • TED Talk: Why I train grandmothers to treat depression | Dixon Chibanda • Book: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne — THANK YOU SPONSORS! —  • Scribe. Book a personalized enterprise demo with scribe.how/awesome • Narwhal. Treat your home to spotless, fresh floors with us.narwhal.com/pete. • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME. • Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/awesomepod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel like there's a gap between the work you're doing and the work you know you're capable of? That's the space where How to Be Awesome at Your Job lives. Hosted by Pete, this long-running podcast digs into the practical, often overlooked tactics that transform good performance into remarkable impact. Rather than abstract theory, each conversation with accomplished thought-leaders and results-getters focuses on extracting specific, actionable insights you can apply immediately. You'll hear real stories and candid advice that sharpen universal skills-like clear communication, strategic thinking, and effective collaboration-which are essential for any role that involves working with others and solving problems. With over 25 million downloads and recognition from places like The New York Times and Forbes, the podcast has become a trusted resource for professionals seeking more than just a checklist. It’s about cultivating a more fulfilling career, finding more meaning in your daily tasks, and yes, creating more wins and financial reward along the way. Tune in to discover how small shifts in approach can lead to significant gains in your performance, your well-being, and your overall enjoyment of the work you do.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

How to Be Awesome at Your Job
Podcast Episodes
1158: The Science Behind Why People Quit with Dr. Anthony Klotz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:47
Dr. Anthony Klotz discusses how to manage the big and small moments that make us question our next career moves. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How the pandemic fundamentally altered our relationship with work 2) Why doing nothing…
1154: The Fundamentals of Great Executive Presence with Elisia Keown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:53
Elisia Keown breaks down what it really means to develop your executive presence. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) What it really means to have “more executive presence” 2) The sentences hindering your executive presence 3) How to sh…
221: Becoming a Great Conversationalist with Celeste Headlee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:01
Journalist Celeste Headlee breaks down the steps towards being a better conversationalist. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The top ways to have better conversations 2) The myths you believe about good listening 3) An eye-opening way…