Never did I ever think I would have a tattoo, let alone a sleeve. So, what does that have to do with your business? It’s the concept of evolution of thought.
Without evolving thoughts, exploring ideas and truly listening, you will remain in the same place forever. As a business owner, decision maker and employee, you must evolve with the changing world around you. Your current state of mind will never propel you forward.
One of the biggest barriers to growth and profitability that I see is executive mindset. How many times have you heard — or said — something like:
“These are the only KPIs that matter to us.”
“This is the process we use, it’s the one that works.”
“At my former job we…”
“We’ve always done it this way.”
If someone is frequently talking about past successes in a nostalgic manner — “those were the best years of my life/career” — has that person stopped growing and learning and being their best selves?
Without evolution of thought, you will put up a wall so high and insurmountable that it will be impossible to reach your goals and the goals of your company. Even if you think of something as the best possible idea, what does it hurt you and your company to consider alternatives? This will reinforce your path or put you on a new, better one.
I watched a Ted Talk by psychologist Dr. Susan David, “The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage.” She says that rigidity in the face of complexity is toxic. If we do not have emotional agility and recognize all our thoughts and how they can help, we will fail. She adds, “Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life.”
Evolution of thought and emotional agility are a powerful combination for growing you and your business.
Back to my ink…it began with Chinese symbols representing my three children. A few years later, Anneke, Ari, Eve and my wife, Claire, gave me ideas for the sleeve that tells our family’s collective story. [Amazing artwork by Modern Love Tattoo in Buffalo, NY.] Each element represents something deeply important to me—I literally wear my heart on my sleeve.