How’d you do in art class when you were in school? I was just average, but I loved being creative and learning new things.  I remember making dolls out of socks, sewing a denim jumper in 4-H with red, white and blue rick rack. (that’s a flat piece of braided trim for you non-sewers) I couldn’t wait to make my valentine’s box every year.  My best one was a four-poster princess bed. I’ve learned so many things over the decades, but I hadn’t spent much time UNLEARNING until the last few years.  How committed are you to unlearning?

In a world that’s evolving at breakneck speed, the ability to rethink or unlearn things isn’t just an advantage—it’s essential. As Adam Grant suggests in his book Think Again, “We live in a rapidly changing world where we need to spend as much time rethinking as we do thinking.” Yet, too often, we cling to our convictions, allowing pride, popularity, or the comfort of certainty to blind us to new possibilities.

Amend Your Mental Constitution

Grant challenges us with a powerful analogy: “The U.S. Constitution allows for amendments. What if we were quicker to make amendments to our own mental constitution?” Just as societies evolve and laws adapt, so too must our beliefs and strategies. Rethinking isn’t about admitting defeat; it’s about growth, improvement, and resilience.  I consider it a form of creativity.

The Mindsets That Shape Us

Grant describes four common mindsets that influence how we think: preacher, prosecutor, politician, and scientist.  Our goal should be to become scientists.

• Preachers defend their beliefs as gospel, treating critiques as sacrilege.
• Prosecutors aim to debunk opposing views rather than discover truth.
• Politicians adjust their stances to win approval rather than prioritize accuracy.
• Scientists, however, approach life with humility and curiosity. They seek the truth, test hypotheses, and let experiments guide their decisions.

One of my recent experiments has been in digital fundraising.  I mentioned it in a previous blog.  My six-month results have delivered a 405 percent return on investment, which I find incredibly exciting and very scientific.

Although the scientist mindset is often associated with labs and white coats, Grant argues it’s a vital tool for everyone. Imagine applying the scientific method to leadership: running experiments, analyzing outcomes, and iterating based on evidence. It’s a mindset that favors humility over pride, doubt over certainty, and curiosity over closure.

The Danger of Stagnant Thinking

The story of Mike Lazaridis, inventor of the BlackBerry, illustrates the risks of clinging to old ideas. Lazaridis was a scientist when he designed the BlackBerry, revolutionizing mobile communication. But as CEO, he shifted to preacher mode, steadfastly defending the device as an email tool even as engineers urged him to add an internet browser. His refusal to rethink the market led to the company’s downfall. “As gifted as Mike was at rethinking the design of electronic devices, he wasn’t willing to rethink the market for his baby,” Grant observes. Intelligence, in his case, became a curse, not a cure. Are you using your intelligence in the same way?  Clinging to what has worked in the past?

This pattern extends beyond business. “We find reasons to preach our faith more deeply, prosecute our case more passionately, and ride the tidal wave of our political party,” writes Grant. In doing so, we become blind to the flaws in our thinking, locking ourselves in “prisons of our own making.”

The Power of Intellectual Humility

History’s greatest leaders share a common trait: intellectual curiosity. Research on American presidents shows that the most effective leaders set themselves apart through their eagerness to learn and explore diverse perspectives. This openness fueled their capacity for innovation and adaptation.

“Scientific thinking favors humility over pride,” Grant notes. When we embrace doubt and curiosity, we’re more likely to recognize gaps in our knowledge and seek solutions. Conversely, when we preach or prosecute, we close ourselves off to growth, believing we already possess the truth.

Accelerate Your Rethinking

How can we cultivate a rethinking mindset? Grant’s advice is clear: “Don’t decelerate your thinking but accelerate your rethinking.” This means questioning our assumptions, inviting feedback, and embracing challenges to our viewpoints. It’s about creating a culture where rethinking is celebrated, not stigmatized.

Leadership in today’s world requires more than confidence; it demands humility, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of truth. By adopting the scientist mindset, we can navigate uncertainty, inspire innovation, and lead with greater impact. As Grant reminds us, “If you master the art of rethinking, you’ll be better positioned for success at work and happiness in life.” The challenge isn’t just to change others’ minds but to open our own. Let’s not continue to do what has made us successful because it may make us obsolete.  Instead, let’s RETHINK our way into future prosperity.