One of the hardest questions I’ve ever had to ask myself is this: What am I pretending not to know?
It’s a question that can stop us in your tracks. Because if we’re honest, there’s usually something, big or small, that we already do know deep down, but we don’t want to face it.
Maybe it’s that a relationship isn’t working. Maybe it’s that a team member isn’t a fit. Maybe it’s that we’re burned out, unhappy, or not living in alignment with our values.
Whatever it is, pretending not to know gives us temporary comfort. It allows us to avoid conflict, change, or discomfort. But it also keeps us stuck.
I’ve done this plenty of times myself, personally and professionally. I’ve stayed too long in situations because I didn’t want to deal with the fallout of acknowledging what was true. I told myself I needed more time, more evidence, more certainty. But what I really needed was courage.
Because once we stop pretending, we can start moving forward.
The truth can be inconvenient, but it’s always clarifying. When we finally admit what we already know, we give ourselves the freedom to act with integrity instead of fear.
In my work with leaders and teams, I see this play out all the time. Someone knows a change needs to be made, a conversation that’s overdue, a behavior that’s undermining trust, a direction that isn’t working, but they hesitate. They rationalize. They hope things will get better if they just wait a little longer.
But waiting rarely helps. Honesty does.
Leaders who are willing to face the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, create environments where trust and accountability can grow. Because when people see you acknowledge reality instead of avoiding it, they feel safe to do the same.
Here’s the thing: pretending not to know doesn’t make the truth go away. It just delays the learning, growth, and healing that can happen once you stop running from it.
So maybe the real leadership challenge isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having the courage to face the ones you’ve been avoiding.
Ask yourself:
- What am I pretending not to know about my work, my relationships, or myself?
- What’s the truth I already see but haven’t yet said out loud?
- What would change if I stopped pretending and started acting from that truth?
When we face what’s real, we reclaim our power. We can make decisions rooted in authenticity instead of fear. We can repair relationships, course-correct projects, and realign our actions with our values.
It’s rarely easy. But on the other side of that honesty is freedom, the kind that allows us to lead, live, and love with more congruence.
So take a breath. Be brave enough to stop pretending. You already know more than you think you do. And that truth might just be the starting point for your next breakthrough.