A few years ago, people would point to their past successes and say, “We’ve always done it this way.” It might have sounded a little rigid, a bit stubborn, and a mite prideful, but it was their way of saying: “There’s no need to change. Our success proves we’re on the right path doing the right things.”
In the 21st century, we know that those comments are dangerously naive. Everything seems to be changing these days and changing at a faster pace than ever before. That means what worked in the past may not work in the future.
So what should you do if you’re a company, a manager, or an employee? Loosen up. Instead of being so hung up on the past, its success, and being “right,” get rid of that old slogan that says “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Adopt a new approach that says “If it works, improve it!” In other words, change before you have to, or change before it’s too late.
Key Thought: Your past success is proof — proof that you were right once. It’s not a guarantee that you will be successful in the future.