What Are Your Unknowns?
Ruth Wandhöfer
Global Fintech Influencer
Embrace curiosity to navigate life's unknowns. Join Ruth Wandhöfer in asking the right questions, and exploring what you don’t yet know.
Embrace curiosity to navigate life's unknowns. Join Ruth Wandhöfer in asking the right questions, and exploring what you don’t yet know.
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What Are Your Unknowns?
4 mins 20 secs
Key learning objectives:
Explore practical strategies for harnessing curiosity
Outline the informational matrix
Overview:
The four categories of knowledge provide a framework for understanding and navigating the unknown: known knowns, known unknowns, unknown knowns and unknown unknowns. Understanding these categories helps us navigate the complexities of the world, especially the unknown unknowns, which can be the most challenging.
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Summary
How does curiosity fuel discovery and lead to personal and technological advancements?
Curiosity not only fuels technological progress but also personal growth. By continuously asking questions and seeking to understand the world around us, we can discover more about ourselves, our potential, and our connection to the universe. Embracing curiosity allows us to adapt to new challenges, uncover new opportunities, and ultimately shape our reality.
What are the four categories of knowledge?
The four categories of knowledge, popularised by Donald Rumsfeld, provide a framework for understanding and navigating the unknown:
- Known knowns: Things we are aware of and understand
- Known unknowns: Gaps in our knowledge that we recognise and can investigate
- Unknown knowns: Subconscious knowledge that, if tapped into, can lead to breakthroughs
- Unknown unknowns: Things we are unaware of and cannot predict, catching us off guard
Why are the four categories of knowledge important?
Understanding these categories helps us navigate the complexities of the world, especially the unknown unknowns, which can be the most challenging. By recognising and embracing these categories, we can better prepare ourselves for unexpected events and continue to expand our knowledge.
How can we apply curiosity effectively in our lives?
- Reflect and reframe: Regularly take time to reflect on what you learn and reframe your thoughts. Writing down your thoughts or explaining new concepts to someone else can help consolidate your knowledge and identify areas that spark further curiosity
- Stay open-minded: Accept that some things will remain unknown and embrace the continuous journey of learning. This mindset encourages you to push the boundaries of your knowledge, turning unknowns into knowns
- Embrace curiosity: Keep questioning, exploring, and learning. Curiosity is a continuous journey that helps you adapt to new challenges and uncover new opportunities
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Ruth Wandhöfer
Dr. Ruth Wandhöfer has been revolutionising finance for 19 years, merging finance, technology, and regulation. A leader in digital finance, she shapes the future with innovative strategies and business models.
Starting with Citi, Ruth has held influential roles, now serving on the boards of Permanent TSB, Aquis Exchange Group, and others. As a Partner at Gauss Ventures, she drives early-stage FinTech investment. Appointed by HM Treasury as Chair of the Payment Systems Regulator Statutory Panel, she also advises globally on financial systems.
Ruth’s accolades include top spots on the ‘Women in Fintech Powerlist’ and recognitions as a leading Fintech Influencer. She has published three books, holds multiple degrees, and earned a PhD on “Technology Innovation in Financial Markets.” A Visiting Professor, her insights appear in FT, Forbes, and more.
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