The power of doubt

A friend and I were walking through the forest. It was a beautiful afternoon of a sunny weekend. The big trees were talking with the winds in their leaves, in perfect harmony with the crunch of leaves while we walked with our shoes.

We stopped at a bench just looking at a little stream, and Mario asked me "What makes you so sure about that?"

His question hit harder than expected. Mario wasn't trying to teach me anything. He's just a friend who asks uncomfortable questions, the kind that stick with you long after the conversation ends. That question was coming at the right moment and was definitely deep through the quiet power of doubt.

Socrates had a radical idea: "I know that I know nothing." He spent his life questioning people who thought they had everything figured out. Turns out, he was onto something big.

Today, we hate not knowing. Social media celebrates quick answers, not thoughtful questions. Schools test what students know, rarely what they dare to doubt. "I'm not sure" has become an admission of weakness rather than a door to discovery. But research shows that our brains learn best when we're willing to question what we think we know.

Mario continued sharing his own story of how doubting his career path led him to a breakthrough. "Sometimes," he says, drawing lines in the dirt with his shoe, "being lost is the only way to find something new."

This isn't about doubting everything or falling into paralysis. It's about knowing when and how to question our assumptions. Like empty space in a room, doubt gives our thoughts room to move.

When we're absolutely certain about something, our minds close. We stop listening, stop questioning, stop growing. But when we allow doubt in, we create space for new understanding.

Take learning a new skill. If we approach it thinking you already know the basics, we may miss crucial details. But if we start with "maybe I don't know as much as I think," we'll pick up things we would have otherwise missed.

In relationships, doubt can transform conflicts. Instead of being sure we're right, asking "what am I missing here?" opens up new possibilities for understanding each other.

At work, doubting your usual approaches can lead to better solutions. Questions like "Is there a different way?" or "What assumptions am I making?" often reveal smarter ways of doing things.

But this isn't about doubting everything all the time. It's about using doubt as a tool for growth. When when feel most certain about something, that's often the best time to pause and question it.

Mario continued sharing a small experiment he is doing from time to time: choosing one certainty to question. Not to tear down his beliefs, but to test them, strengthen them, or let them grow into something better. The result isn't chaos, but clarity; not confusion, but curiosity.

Socrates was right. Learning begins not with knowing, but with the courage to admit what we don't know.

In the meantime it was becoming late and we continued our walk with the sun setting, just listening to the silence of the forest.

Ready to embrace the power of thoughtful questioning in your professional journey? Like that transformative forest walk conversation, sometimes the most profound growth starts with allowing ourselves to question our certainties. Connect with Nicola Arnese for a coaching experience that creates space for meaningful exploration and discovery. Through personalized business coaching, talent coaching, or dynamic group coaching sessions, you'll learn to transform doubt into a powerful tool for career growth. Whether you're at a crossroads or seeking deeper clarity in your professional path, let's walk this journey together. Schedule your complimentary, no-obligation session today, and like Mario's insightful questions, let's explore the possibilities that emerge when we dare to question and grow.