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
1134: Creating the Moments that Make Work Come Alive with Daniel Coyle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:08
Daniel Coyle shares how to infuse ordinary work moments with greater meaning, joy, and fulfillment. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why shared improvement beats self-improvement 2) The three minute visualization that liberates treme…
1131: How to Stop Playing Small at Work with Kelli Thompson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:51
Kelli Thompson shows you how to break free from intimidation, hierarchy, and self-doubt. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why over-admiring your coworkers could be undermining your progress 2) The key to sustainable confidence 3) How…