I started a training class one time with this statement. Sometimes I still do. It’s intentionally facetious, a tongue-in-cheek admission that aims to set the stage not for certainty, but for critical thought. Because the simple truth is, for almost every topic, every rule, every best practice, there will always be exceptions and edge cases.

Think about it. As you step out of a talk, armed with new learnings and eager to apply them, you’re bound to encounter scenarios that just don’t fit the mold. The real world is messy, complex, and delightfully unpredictable. That perfectly crafted framework? It might falter when faced with a unique team dynamic or an unforeseen market shift. That published process or policy? You discover there are all sorts of “unofficial” exceptions.

And here’s the profound lesson: no matter how “correct” you believe something to be, always be prepared and open-minded for it to be otherwise. There’s immense power in acknowledging the limits of any given “truth.” It fosters humility, encourages deeper exploration, and ultimately leads to more adaptable and resilient approaches.

It’s likely that even in the room where you hear or say these teachings, there are individuals with a wealth of experience, anecdotes, and stories that seem to contradict what’s being said. But these aren’t challenges to the content’s validity; they are invaluable data points, reminders that context is king and that experience is key.

So, let this be a guiding principle: wisdom isn’t about knowing all the answers, but about understanding that every answer has its boundaries. Embrace the exceptions, learn from the edge cases, and cultivate a mindset that is perpetually curious and humble. That’s what will elevate you from someone who can just blindly follow process, to someone that can be a true thought leader.