The Undiscussed Leadership Quality: Ditching What is No Longer Beneficial to You
I've got a penchant for seeking fresh perspectives. I thrive on uncovering connections.When working on something, I cast a wide net: TED talks, books, articles, podcasts, old interviews, even random Twitter threads. I'm always on the hunt for patterns that cut across disciplines and times. That, my friend, is what keeps me going.
But here's the catch. For all my wide-ranging interests, I found myself revisiting the same wells, the same thinkers, the same sources. The familiar, quality stuff, but all a reflection of what already matters to me - leadership, innovation, design thinking, future trends. I wasn't exploring new grounds. I was just refining the old. That's when I realized - I've been using my curiosity as a flashlight, not a searchlight. I've been zeroing in on ideas that reinforce my existing beliefs instead of asking, What haven't I considered yet? What perspectives, industries, or ideas lie just beyond my radar?
That realization was a wake-up call, a moment of unlearning. Not about abandoning past knowledge, but about recognizing how my methods were quietly limiting what I could see.
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The Blind Spots of Expertise
Every leader has a backstory - a unique blend of strengths, weaknesses, and experiences that shape their decision-making. And that history can become a lens, guiding choices, fostering success, but sometimes also distorting reality. Especially during times of change.
Consider the case of a senior leader I worked with. He had a fantastic track record of building quality teams. When I inquired about his approach to spotting talent, he confidently stated, "You just know when someone carries themselves like a leader. They know how to speak up, take charge, command a room."
He wasn't being exclusionary. He believed he was being perceptive. But he had unknowingly fallen into a trap of stereotypes - leaders were those who exuded confidence and authority, not those who quietly excelled.
Then came a change. His organization implemented a reverse mentoring program, pairing leaders with individuals outside their usual circles. Quieter, analytical, not your typical 'rising star.' And in those conversations, something magical happened. He discovered the power of listening, asking questions, and learning from those who don't fit the mold. His perspective shifted, and so did his approach to talent identification. He started looking for achievers rather than spirits.
That experience showed him the importance of expanding his blind spots. He realized he had been hunting for leaders who looked like him for years. Afterwards, he changed the way he evaluated talent - he went for impact, growth, and unique abilities, not just charisma.
Unlearning: A Game-Changer
Unlearning isn't a fancy buzzword. It's an essential part of personal growth and adapting to a rapidly changing world. It isn't about forgetting your past; it's about shifting perspective. Here's a quote that epitomizes this idea: "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." This quote, popularized by futurist Alvin Toffler, reminds us that the ability to evolve our thinking is vital in today's world.
Toffler didn't preach the importance of unlearning from a pedestal. He lived it. To gather material for his groundbreaking works, he and his wife spent years working blue-collar jobs, learning industrial mass production hands-on. Toffler's immersion in different environments allowed him to gain unique insights that others missed.
We're currently going through another such transformation - artificial intelligence is reshaping work, climate change is redefining growth, and a new generation is pushing the boundaries of what success means. For leaders, it's no longer just about learning new things; it's about knowing what to let go of.
Seeing with New Eyes
Unlearning isn't merely an intellectual exercise; it's a leap of faith. It takes courage, discomfort, and humility to challenge long-held beliefs. But it's vital for remained relevant in today's fast-paced world.
So, take a hard look at what you assume about leadership, your team, your industry, your world. And be willing to admit - I've been looking in the wrong places. Because that is the essence of unlearning - admitting that sometimes, you need to look beyond what you know to see what you haven't seen before.
- Despite my wide-ranging interests, I found myself consistently revisiting the same sources on topics like leadership, innovation, design thinking, future trends - a realization that sparked the need for a shift in my approach.
- This senior leader, with a successful track record in building teams, was unknowingly fallible. He had stereotyped leaders as confident and authoritative individuals, overlooking quiet achievers who contributed significantly.
- Embracing unlearning, he recognized the value of learning from those outside his usual circles. His perspective transformed, and he began to look for achievers rather than spirits, shifting his approach to talent identification.
- Unlearning is essential for personal growth and adapting to a rapidly changing world. In this fast-paced era, it's not only about learning new things but also about knowing what to let go of, as Alvin Toffler's words aptly suggest: "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."
- To remain relevant in today's world, it takes courage, discomfort, and humility to challenge long-held beliefs. Embrace unlearning, admit when you've been looking in the wrong places, and be open to seeing what you haven't seen before.
