For the last little while I've been playing with the concepts of data, information and intelligence. Reflecting on how much importance we put on knowledge and learning. And trying to fathom why sometimes they appear to fail us.

At school we were lauded for having the right answers. Being "right" became supremely important. And, as one's career expanded, being "fully-in-the-know" was an imperative if one were to remain ahead of the pack.

Yet, how harmful, how wasteful, these apparent "assets" can be. I hate to think how often I've hurt people I care about by my need to be right; how much energy I've wasted in corporate politics by striving to be fully in-the-know.

Nevertheless, as we mature, we come to understand that the power of learning far exceeds the power of knowing. We appreciate that we cannot possibly know all the answers; that it is more important to know which questions to ask - and when to ask them.

We focus on learning. We ask questions, read books, take courses. But for many of us, the answers we seek - the improvements we chase - still do not occur. Why is that?

On a personal level, the answer came to me recently when I was thinking of signing up for a course. The subject was a favourite. The course "advanced". What could be better? But, did I really have time for yet another course?

So I asked myself how much I already knew about the subject. I began by outlining my current practices and experiences. I went on to list key points I remembered from previous programs. Frankly, I was amazed.

Do we in fact need to know it all? Do we really need to learn more? Or is it a matter of taking what we already know and learning to feel it, understand it, use it, live it, respect it - - and apply it to our lives !

I know what the answer is for me - how about you?