One of the most profound challenges in leadership is the need to constantly adapt. I think every leader knows this, but it isn’t easy to let go of what made us successful. I just got back from spending four days with my friend and leadership expert John C. Maxwell, so for the next two weeks I’m going to share some of his latest teachings with you.

He said, "Leaders must be willing to let go of what worked yesterday and learn new ways of seeing, doing and leading." This statement is a call to action for us all to embrace change, remain flexible, and continuously evolve in our approach to leadership.  It’s the reason I invest in myself by being a part of his mentorship program. It helps me continuously uplevel my thinking.  What are you doing to uplevel your thinking?

The Trap of Success

Success can be a double-edged sword. The strategies and practices that led to past achievements often become comfort zones for leaders and a detriment to organizations.   This reluctance to let go can hinder growth and innovation, causing organizations to fail. You haven’t seen Blockbuster, Toys R Us or Circuit City lately, have you?  

Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen, who introduced the concept of "disruptive innovation," argues that many successful companies fail because they continue to cling to their proven methods, even when the market changes around them. This principle applies to leadership as well. Leaders who fail to adapt are at risk of becoming obsolete and replaced by competitors who are willing to innovate.

Each year I set money aside to not only invest in myself but in the non-profit I lead. This year I’m exploring new digital marketing strategies that I think are going to pay off in additional revenue.  It’s a little too early to tell yet, but I’ll share more in future weeks as I get results.

The Importance of Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning seems to be in my DNA.  It may be tied to the fact that I’m never satisfied and that keeps me learning.  To avoid the trap of stagnation, leaders must commit to lifelong learning. That quest drew me to public television over 20 years ago.  One of the most effective ways to foster this mindset is through a culture of curiosity. I’ve always been curious.  Leaders should encourage themselves and their teams to ask questions, explore new ideas, and seek out diverse perspectives. This approach not only drives innovation but also helps leaders stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing world.  Yes, this can lead to conflict but a little conflict, if handled well, can be good for us.

Letting Go of the Past

Letting go of past successes doesn't mean abandoning everything that worked before. Instead, it involves a strategic approach to identifying which practices remain relevant and which ones need to be reimagined. As a DISNEY fan, reimagining comes pretty easy to me. Leaders should conduct regular assessments of their strategies, seeking input from a variety of sources to ensure that they’re not blinded by their past achievements.

One effective method for doing this is to implement a "stop, start, continue" exercise. I realize this isn’t a new concept, but when was the last time you did it? In case you’re not familiar with it, this involves evaluating what should be stopped because it no longer serves the organization, what should be started to address new challenges or opportunities, and what should be continued because it still adds value. 

Leading with Vision Allows You to Navigate Change

A key component of adapting to change is leading with a clear vision. Leaders must have a forward-looking perspective, focusing not just on the present but also on where the organization needs to go in the future. Visionary leaders like Apple’s Steve Jobs or Amazon’s Jeff Bezos were successful not because they clung to the past but because they constantly looked ahead, were comfortable with disruption, anticipated changes and adapted their strategies accordingly.

And you can do it too when you become intentional about embracing the future and letting go of those things in your past that no longer serve you.