The Certainty Trap refers to an inability or unwillingness—whether conscious or not—to question what we think we know about the world and one another. When we treat open questions as though they’re settled, when we behave as though our most difficult challenges have obvious solutions, when we talk as though there are not costs and benefits to the choices we make, and when we interact as though the right path is obvious and known, we are in this trap.

By understanding and leaning into uncertainty—by breaking out of The Certainty Trap—we build the capacity to have the kinds of conversations that can build public trust, strengthen our communities, and make us better problem solvers.

The Certainty Trap

Breaking Out of the Certainty Trap

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