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Understanding deepens when we stop proving we know and start being open to knowing more.

But that moment, when someone starts explaining, is often the chance to truly learn.

✅ Try this instead:
– Listen fully, even if the topic feels familiar
– Ask: “What’s a part of this I haven’t thought about?”
– Be curious about how others frame the same idea differently

We often confuse familiarity with understanding.
Just because we’ve heard a concept over and over doesn’t mean we’ve grasped its essence.

When we assume we already “get it,” we tend to cut people short, tune out, or mentally skip ahead.

You’ve heard the word “psychological safety” a dozen times. Or “agility.” Or “servant leadership.”
You nod, you agree, you even use them.

But if someone asked you to explain it from scratch, without jargon, could you?

That’s the Illusion of Explanatory Depth in action.

Learn More:
www.liberatingstructures.com/ls/

Example: 1-2-4-All – Instead of one person leading a discussion, everyone gets to contribute:
1️⃣ Reflect individually
2️⃣ Discuss in pairs
4️⃣ Expand ideas in small groups
🔊 Share insights with the whole team

💡Liberating Structures offer 33 ways to break free. They distribute control, invite every voice, and help teams co-create better outcomes together.

Most meetings rely on just five basic structures (presentation, open discussion, status update, managed discussion, and brainstorming). They often limit participation and reinforce power dynamics.

💡 Instead of simply asking, put forward your best attempt—then step back and watch the team work its magic. The right answers will come together faster than you expect.

Here’s how this plays out:

🔹 When tackling something outside your expertise, don’t just wait for answers—gather what you know, bring in the experts, and spark knowledge-building by showing what’s missing.

🔹 People engage more when there’s something to build on, rather than just a blank question.

It’s not about being productive per se. It’s about doing what has real value.