Amir Tabch’s Post

The hardest pivot: Unlearning I was recently asked on a leadership panel, "What’s the biggest pitfall CEOs fall into?" My answer was immediate: assuming that what made them successful will keep them successful. The real danger? Sticking with what they know. This is the leadership equivalent of proudly setting sail with a beautifully polished map—of a place that no longer exists. Markets shift, competitors evolve, technology reinvents itself overnight, & yet some leaders grip the past like a toddler clutching a stuffed animal. Nostalgic? Sure. Effective? Not at all. HBR found that one of the primary reasons seasoned executives fail is their inability to unlearn outdated strategies. In one study, 50% of executives who struggled in their roles did so because they failed to adapt to changing circumstances. Their response to challenges? Doubling down on what used to work. This is the equivalent of trying to solve a software glitch by blowing on the screen like an old Nintendo cartridge. (Spoiler: it doesn’t work.) History is packed with cautionary tales. Blockbuster, Kodak, & Nokia weren’t taken down by bad luck or sabotage—they were taken down by their own success. Their leaders assumed past victories would guarantee future ones. They were stuck playing their greatest hits while the world had already moved on to Spotify. So, what’s the solution? • Kill your darlings – In writing, authors are told to cut out their favorite lines if they no longer serve the story. In leadership, this means questioning your tried-&-true methods. Just because a strategy worked 5 years ago doesn’t mean it still does. • Get uncomfortable – The best leaders willingly put themselves in situations where they are no longer the expert in the room. This is painful for CEOs who built their reputation on being the smartest person at the table. But growth happens at the edge of discomfort, not in the cozy embrace of familiarity. • Act like a startup – Bezos, Musk, & Jobs all had one thing in common: They never acted like they had it all figured out. They asked, "What if we started from scratch today?" What would you do differently if you weren’t shackled by your past successes? • Listen to the outsiders – If everyone around you is comfortable & in agreement, you’re probably in trouble. The best insights often come from voices outside your industry, outside your comfort zone, & outside your current level of thinking. Success is never final, & failure is never fatal—unless you assume you don’t need to change. The leaders who thrive aren’t the ones who master a single skill & stick with it; they’re the ones who evolve, adapt, & remain relentless in their curiosity. So, the next time you catch yourself saying, "But this has always worked before," take a deep breath, grab a metaphorical sledgehammer, & ask yourself: "What do I need to break before it breaks me?" Because in leadership, there are 2 choices—reinvent or be replaced. #Leadership #Management #Business #Strategy