Answers come from understanding, not knowledge

I work hard to accrue knowledge. I think that’s a lot of my Enneagram 5-ness coming out, as I shared a few years ago when I unpacked the various Enneagram numbers:

“Fives collect knowledge. Knowledge and information of almost any kind (even the strangest information) provide Fives with a sense of control and a defense against feelings of inadequacy. Fives also collect information or knowledge because they don’t want to appear foolish or uninformed, or be humiliated for not having the correct answer.”

That fits me perfectly. I’m worried I won’t have the right answer in some situation, so I work hard to have all of the answers. I know that’s completely impossible, but it doesn’t slow me down.

Regardless how much knowledge anyone acquires, it only goes so far. I shared last month some thoughts from James Clear and how he believes that creativity comes from connected thoughts. In my mind, “connected thoughts” can only come from more knowledge but that’s not really accurate — it’s the true understanding of that knowledge that makes it possible.

In Malcolm Gladwell’s classic book “ Blink “, he says:

“The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding. We are swimming in the former. We are desperately lacking in the latter.”