Why Leaders Need to Unlearn Before They Can Learn

Have you ever had a boss who thought they knew it all? Perhaps you are one, or maybe you know someone who fits the bill. Either way, there’s no denying the impact these “know-it-alls” have on their teams. Spoiler alert: it’s not typically a positive one.

“Unlearning” is a term that’s been thrown around a lot in leadership circles lately, but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, why is it so darn crucial for those at the helm of our businesses?

Unlearning, dear reader, is not about forgetting or discarding past knowledge. Instead, it’s about consciously letting go of outdated ideas and habits that no longer serve us or our organizations. It’s about making space for new ways of thinking and doing. But here’s the kicker, it can be as tough as chewing on a leather boot. Why? Because old habits die hard, my friend.

So why should leaders unlearn? Let me tell you a story. Picture an old sea captain. He’s been navigating his ship with the same trusted compass for decades. One day, he’s given a GPS device – it’s more accurate, reliable, and can adapt to changing conditions. But our captain sticks to his old compass, ignoring the GPS. His ship sails, but not as efficiently or as safely as it could. That, my friend, is the cost of not unlearning.

Now, replace the sea with the business environment, the ship with your company, and the captain with a leader. You get the picture, right?

Leaders who don’t unlearn are like that old sea captain. They might navigate their companies through calm and stormy waters, but they are not as efficient or adaptable as they could be. They’re potentially missing out on significant opportunities or failing to avoid looming disasters. Yikes!

Unlearning requires leaders to challenge their assumptions and biases constantly. “But that’s how we’ve always done it!” – sound familiar? If it does, you’re probably in need of some serious unlearning.

Here’s your game plan:

1. Embrace Humility: Recognize that you don’t know everything and be open to new ideas.
2. Be Curious: Ask questions, seek different perspectives, and explore new areas of knowledge.
3. Challenge Assumptions: Don’t take anything at face value. Ask “why” more often than you’re comfortable with.
4. Adapt: Be flexible and willing to change your mind based on new information.
5. Iterate: Unlearning and relearning is a continuous cycle. Keep at it.

Albert Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” It’s time to step up, unlearn the old, and embrace the new. Let’s build ships that sail faster, safer, and more efficiently. Are you ready, captain?