Engaging with the unknowable through narratives of personal experience

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential function of narratives of personal experience in engaging with unknowable reality. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on research on managers working with the unknown using narrative methods together with ancient and modern theories of knowing. Findings – It is suggested that the unknowable is of importance to the leader of change and that narrative is a productive form of engagement with unknowable reality. Implications for leadership practice are identified. Originality/value – The role of narrative alongside a largely forgotten form of understanding, intellectus, is considered.