Don’t Let Experience Fool You: Adaptability Over Tenure
Experience is often celebrated as the ultimate credential in business, but it’s not always the key to success. Over the years working with a variety of companies and leaders, we’ve learned that while tenure and expertise can provide valuable insights, they can also lead to overconfidence, resistance to change, and outdated thinking. In a rapidly evolving world, adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to learn often outweigh decades of experience when it comes to driving innovation and achieving results.
The Risk of Over-Reliance on Experience
People who claim, “I’ve been doing this for 40 years,” may possess deep knowledge, but they can also fall into the trap of clinging to past methods that no longer work. Markets change, technologies evolve, and customer needs shift. What worked a decade ago may not apply today. As Marshall Goldsmith emphasizes in his book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, past success can sometimes blind leaders to the need for growth and adaptation.
I’ve seen businesses falter because leaders relied too heavily on “what’s always worked” instead of exploring new approaches. Conversely, I’ve witnessed incredible breakthroughs when leaders embraced fresh perspectives and challenged long-standing assumptions. The lesson is clear: experience should inform your decisions, but it should never define them.
The Power of a Beginner’s Mindset
Shunryu Suzuki’s Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind teaches the importance of approaching problems with curiosity and openness, regardless of expertise. Leaders who adopt a beginner’s mindset are more likely to ask critical questions, explore innovative solutions, and remain adaptable in the face of change. This mindset allows them to stay ahead in industries where agility is a competitive advantage.
For example, in today’s tech-driven world, industries from healthcare to retail are being transformed by artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics. Leaders who remain stuck in their ways risk falling behind competitors who are more willing to experiment and evolve.
Balancing Expertise and Adaptability
Experience isn’t inherently bad—it’s about how it’s applied. Patrick Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player highlights the importance of balancing humility, hunger, and people smarts. Experienced leaders who pair their knowledge with humility and a willingness to listen to others can make better decisions and inspire their teams to grow.
Similarly, frameworks like the Growth Mindset, popularized by Carol Dweck in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, encourage leaders to view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than threats to their expertise. This approach fosters innovation and resilience, even in uncertain times.
Practical Steps to Stay Adaptable
Challenge Assumptions: Regularly question whether long-standing practices are still effective. Seek input from team members, especially those with fresh perspectives.
Stay Curious: Make continuous learning a priority. Attend industry conferences, read widely, and stay informed about emerging trends and technologies.
Embrace Collaboration: Surround yourself with diverse voices and skill sets. Encourage your team to bring new ideas to the table and create a culture where innovation thrives.
Be Open to Feedback: Actively seek constructive criticism from peers, employees, and mentors. Honest feedback can reveal blind spots and spark growth.
Celebrate Experimentation: Encourage risk-taking and view failures as learning opportunities. Create an environment where testing new ideas is not just allowed but encouraged.
Conclusion
Experience is valuable, but it’s not a substitute for adaptability, curiosity, and a growth-oriented mindset. In a world where change is constant, the most successful leaders are those who combine the wisdom of their experience with the openness to evolve and innovate. By embracing a beginner’s mindset and staying curious, leaders can ensure they remain relevant and effective, no matter how the landscape shifts.
At Barthell Digital we are obsessed with the science and art of building a productive and fun team environment. If you’re interested in hearing more from our learnings and considering working with us, don’t hesitate to reach out!
