As leaders, we often wrestle with one key question: When do you experiment and when do you listen to tried and true wisdom?
I recently remembered a time I served on a nonprofit board. Whenever new members suggested ideas, I’d catch myself shooting them down: “We tried that already” or “That won’t work because…” Eventually, I realized I was too big of a naysayer and I needed to get off the board because I wasn’t helping.
Now, I see the same thing happening in conversations around AI. People say, “It hallucinates,” “It sounds robotic,” or “It’s not reliable.” But they overlook the progress, the tools, and the new ways AI is being developed and deployed every day.
Whether it’s AI or some other change, holding too tightly to past wisdom and what used to work can limit us. In a fast-changing world, clinging to the old can keep you stuck.
Leaders with an executive mindset shift know that experimenting isn’t reckless—it’s required. You can still use discernment, but don’t mistake comfort for strategy.
Read More: AI is here. What does it mean for your team?
