Forget

Companies often find it difficult to cope with an altered environment. Leaders need to forget industry, business, and company culture norms to be able to adjust.

Leaders believe certain assumptions about the company, competition, and industry that are rarely challenged. And these assumptions are passed down to rising leaders and new employees, entrenching a culture of “that’s how we’ve always done it”. And when something challenges these assumptions (a new employee or leader, economic change, etc.), most people will dig in their heels and hang tight to these assumptions.

To keep evolving and succeeding, leaders need to forget their learned assumptions. What would have happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average if they failed to adapt to changing times? Do you know what happened to the original 12 companies? Apple certainly wasn’t one of the originals but is included now.

Remember and celebrate how you achieved your current success, but don’t depend on that to keep you successful in the future. Use it to pivot to your next success. Forget how your competition does things and strike a new path. Forget how your internal operations have always been run and find a way to be more efficient.

Forgetting the accepted norms will enable you to evolve with your customers, reach new customers, and be successful in the future. Digging your heels in and insisting on doing things “your way” is a great way to be left behind.

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