Is “tried and true” holding you back?
Earlier this week, I facilitated a small group session for one of my colleagues who was unexpectedly unable to lead her regular session.
During the great discussion, one of the participants highlighted the need for a significant change in how they responded to customer concerns. They wanted to do something different. When I asked if she had any wild ideas she had already thought of. She shared that she had had one for years but always sensed resistance to trying something new.
As we discussed her options, she became excited about the possibilities and taking a step in this new direction. As we discussed the barriers to creating change, another participant highlighted that their issue is relying on the “tried and true” because they know it is and has been working. We got into a great discussion on why that strategy is good at times but not at others.
This choice prevented them from considering new and innovative ways to support their customers because they kept reverting to the old method.
It made me think how often we, as leaders of ourselves and others, lean toward the “tried and true” instead of the “bold and new.”
My three big rationales of why we do this are:
✔️ It’s easier to stay in our comfort zone because everything is ok right now.
✔️ We fear what happens if it doesn’t work.
✔️ We fear what happens if it does work.
When we stay in our comfort zone and lead from a fear-based mentality…
➡️ We miss the opportunity for more, better, or different solutions.
➡️ We risk falling behind what our competitors are doing.
➡️ We risk frustrating our teams or customers because we’re not evolving with changing circumstances.
In what area of your life are you relying on the “tried and true” answer when it may be time for a “bold and new” approach?
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