Why Do Managers Struggle to Turn Knowledge Into Action
Managers know what to do, yet teams get stuck. Discover why action lags behind knowledge and how to close this gap for better results.
Why do my managers know what to do but still fail to deliver results?
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What this episode covers
Many leadership training programmes fail to change what managers actually do, leaving teams stuck despite knowing the right actions. In this episode, Jimmy Burroughes explores why this knowing-doing gap exists and what causes managers to misalign their actions with their knowledge. He discusses the importance of prioritising effectively, aligning personal values with daily behaviours, and creating space for controlled failure to boost ownership and team wisdom. Listeners will learn practical ways to shift leadership dynamics, encourage reflective practices, and identify where decision-making stalls within their teams to improve overall performance.
Who this is for: General managers and senior operators who lead teams and are frustrated by training that fails to change their managers’ behaviours and results.
Key takeaways
- The knowing-doing gap occurs when managers understand what to do but fail to apply it consistently in their actions.
- Misalignment between personal values and daily actions often causes managers to struggle in implementing training effectively.
- Effective prioritisation is essential to close the gap between knowing what is right and actually doing it.
- Allowing controlled failure within teams encourages ownership and accelerates learning and performance improvements.
- Reflective practices help leaders shift from simply knowing to actively exploring solutions and improving team outcomes.
Managers often know the right actions to take, yet teams can still underperform due to the knowing doing gap. This episode explores why knowledge fails to translate into effective action and what operational leaders can do to address this persistent challenge. Learn practical strategies to help your managers close the gap and drive sustained team performance.
What you will learn
- Understand the knowing doing gap and its effects on managers and teams
- Identify why managers struggle to align actions with what they know
- Apply techniques to prioritise effectively and align values with actions
- Empower teams by embracing controlled failure and reflective practice
Episode highlights
- (1:27) What is the knowing and doing gap?
- (4:17) Why does the gap happen?
- (7:24) Embracing controlled failure for team empowerment
- (9:14) Shifting leadership dynamics from knowing to exploring
- (11:19) Reflective practices and lessons learned
- (13:00) Outro
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Get the Quick-Win PackQuestions managers ask about this episode
Why does my management training not lead to behaviour change?
Training often fails because managers understand what to do but struggle to align their actions with that knowledge due to competing priorities or misaligned values, creating a knowing-doing gap.
How can I help my managers apply what they learn in training?
Focus on effective prioritisation and ensure managers’ personal values align with their actions. Encouraging controlled failure also helps teams take ownership and learn from experience.
What is the knowing-doing gap in leadership?
It is the disconnect between knowing the right leadership behaviours and actually practising them consistently, often caused by unclear priorities or a lack of reflection on actions.
How can reflective practices improve my team’s performance?
Reflective practices encourage leaders and managers to explore what works and what doesn’t, helping to adjust behaviours and decisions to close the gap between knowledge and action.