When you look at the world, do you more often see similarities or differences?
People from all walks of life, no matter their culture, background, or belief system, experience the same core emotions and needs.
At the same time, the ways we live, think, and express ourselves are influenced by countless factors such as geography, history, education, personal environment—all of which contribute to the unique identities of individuals and communities.
Our shared human experiences may seem similar on the surface, but it is our unique touch that makes them rich and multifaceted.
It’s not the canvas, but the artist’s vision that brings a masterpiece to life.
It’s not the ingredients, but the chef’s touch that creates a memorable dish.
It’s not the words, but the storyteller’s voice that captivates the audience.
It’s not the resources, but the entrepreneur’s ingenuity that builds a great business.
It’s not the code, but the engineer’s creativity that solves the problem.
And so on…The magic of human potential lies in the diversity of our minds and our perspectives.
When we come together, not in spite of our differences but because of them, we unlock a myriad of possibilities.
In the world of business, „thinking differently” often feels like a mantra that lacks tangible meaning. But in truth, it’s the outcome of bringing together people with wildly diverse backgrounds, personalities, and yes, even risk tolerances.
Some people, they crave stability. They see the world as something to protect, to nurture.
Others, they’re the rebels. They see the world as something to conquer, to disrupt.
Neither is right, neither is wrong.
They’re both essential.
In business, as in life, it is crucial to recognize that our differences are not obstacles but catalysts for success:
When one startup founder focuses on technology and another on people, this remarkable fusion of perspectives and experiences creates the spark that ignites innovation, fuels progress, and leads to extraordinary achievements.
Now, you know, they say different people make different decisions.
And, well, they’re right. Profoundly, undeniably right.
It’s almost… obvious. And is exactly in that obviousness that we often miss something crucial.
See, it’s not just that people are different—it’s that their unique perspectives are the very essence that drives progress and enables us to make impactful decisions.
Think about it: if everyone agreed, if everyone saw the world the same way, we’d never have …anything truly groundbreaking.
Because true innovation comes from the clash of ideas, from the friction of differing viewpoints.
It’s in those moments of disagreement, when someone says, „No, you’re wrong” that we discover something new. Something insanely great.
Some of you will tell me about „risk aversion” and „loss aversion”. You’ll talk about „bounded rationality” and how people don’t always make „rational” decisions.
And you know what? You’re right. People are emotional. They’re unpredictable.
But that’s not a bug. That’s a feature.
Because progress, true innovation, the kind that makes a dent in the universe, it doesn’t come from perfectly calculated, risk-free strategies.
It often comes from the heart, from the intuition, from the courage to take a leap of faith when everyone else is playing it safe.
Therefore, the fact that different people make different decisions is not a challenge; it is a tremendous opportunity.
Each one of us brings something unique to the table—a different way of thinking, a fresh idea, a novel solution. This melting pot of creativity and ingenuity is what drives progress and fuels change. And that, is what it’s all about.
For years, you’ve been told to hold on.
Hold on to your ideas, hold on to your processes, hold on to what yu know.
And there’s a place for that.
Holding steadfast to your core principles and pursuing excellence with unwavering dedication—that’s how you build a great business. It’s this relentless commitment to your values and standards that sets you apart and leaves a lasting impact.
But what happens when what you’re holding onto becomes a burden? What happens when the world shifts beneath your feet, and you’re still clinging to yesterday’s solutions?
That’s where the power of letting go comes in.
It’s not about abandoning your values.
it’s about shedding the baggage that weighs you down. It’s about recognizing when your thinking, your processes, your very selves are becoming obsolete.
- Picture the typewriter. Once a staple in every office, but did anyone hold on to it when computers became the norm? No. They adapted.
- Reflect on the floppy disk. A revolutionary storage solution in its day, but did anyone insist on using it when USB drives and cloud storage emerged? No. They evolved.
- Think back to the horse-drawn carriage. A mainstay of transportation for centuries, but did anyone stick with it when trains and cars took over? No. They moved forward.
- Imagine the film camera. It captured countless moments in time, but did anyone cling to it when digital photography took center stage? No. They embraced the change.
- Remember the brick-and-mortar retail stores. Dominant for decades, but did anyone resist the shift to e-commerce and online shopping? No. They transformed.
Now, this isn’t easy.
Our minds are wired for patterns.
We get comfortable, we get efficient, and we resist change.
We fall into a state of active inertia—we keep doing the same things, even when they’re no longer working.
We’re actively moving, but we’re not getting anywhere.
It’s like running on a treadmill. You’re expending energy, but you’re not going anywhere.
The key to breaking free from this is what is called metacognition – thinking about thinking.
It’s about taking a step back and asking yourself: „Why am I doing this? Is this the best way? Am I clinging to something that’s holding me back?”
It’s about having the courage to look into the mirror and say, „I was wrong.”
Consider the journey of every successful visionary entrepreneur.
They hold on to the idea of transforming an industry by leveraging technology, even as others stick to traditional methods.
They believe that digital solutions can revolutionize how people interact with services, even when others hesitate to move away from physical products.
But they also know when to let go.
They let go of outdated business models, they let go of legacy processes, because they recognize there is something better—a shift towards innovative, user-centric solutions that can redefine the market and create unprecedented value.
The power of decision-making lies within each of us.
In every decision-making process, it is essential to recognize the moments when you must hold firm to the core principles that define your true selves. Equally, you must have the courage to let go of outdated methods that hinder your growth, embracing change to pave the way for new possibilities.
This balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation will propel your business towards enduring success and remarkable achievements.
Too many people hesitate because they’re paralyzed by the desire to always make the „right decision”. And the truth is, inaction is the greatest form of failure.
Too many businesses today hold onto the idea of stability, often at the expense of progress.
Why? It’s human nature to cling to what’s familiar; it feels safe, predictable, and comfortable.
In times of uncertainty, stability becomes a comforting anchor. And they hold on.
What’s truly unfortunate: They hold on to processes that are obsolete, to products that are no longer relevant, to a mindset that refuses to adapt.
And by doing this, they remain anchored to the past. The only wrong decision is the one they never make.
The real breakthrough happens when you make those tough decisions-when you’re willing to embrace uncertainty and take risks.
Life is too short to wait for perfect conditions. If you’re not making tough decisions, you’re not moving forward.
As a leader, you’ve built something. You’ve poured your heart and soul into it.
You face a constant tension: the push and pull between preservation and progress.
And naturally, you want to protect it: your core values: a relentless pursuit of excellence, a dedication to quality and innovation, and a steadfast commitment to meeting the needs of your customers.
These principles are your bedrock.
And they are the essence of what makes a great business. You’re right, you should never let go of them.
But not blindly.
You must also have the wisdom to know when and what to let go.
Let go of outdated processes and technologies that, while they served you well in the past, no longer align with the future.
Let go of old marketing strategies that once brought success but no longer resonate with your audience.
Let go of legacy IT systems that have become cumbersome and inefficient.
Let go of outdated customer service practices that no longer meet the current customer’s expectations.
Let go of products that have lost relevance in the market.
By letting go, you make room for growth, innovation, and the extraordinary opportunities that lie ahead.
And, you have to find that balance.
I know, it’s like a tightrope walk:
- Risk versus reward.
- Innovation versus stability.
- Workload versus well-being.
- Short-term gains versus long-term vision.
- Customer needs versus operational efficiency.
- Cost versus investment.
These aren’t either/or choices. They’re a dance. A delicate balancing act.
And the key is courage. The courage to let go of what no longer serves you, the courage to embrace the unknown, the courage to lead your team, your company, into the future.
Don’t be afraid to choose boldly, because those choices are what will ultimately shape your future.
Don’t be afraid to disrupt.
Don’t be afraid to fail.
Don’t be afraid to be different.
Because the greatest risk of all is standing still.
Yes, sometimes you’re going to think you’re heading north when you’re actually veering east.
You”re going to have these moments: the panic, the doubt, „Are we on the right track?” „Have we wasted time?”
But here’s the truth, the cold, hard truth: every single decision you make, good or bad, brings you closer to where you’re meant to be.
Even the „wrong” turns. Especially the „wrong” turns. Because those mistakes, those stumbles, they illuminate the right path.
They force you to reassess. To adapt. To learn.
Think about these cases:
- Coca-Cola was originally developed as a medicinal tonic by pharmacist John Pemberton. Despite its initial failure as a medicine, the drink’s unique taste led to its rebranding as a soft drink, becoming one of the most iconic brands in the world.
- Sir Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin when he noticed that a mold contaminant in his petri dishes was killing bacteria. This „mistake” revolutionized medicine and saved countless lives.
- The Kellogg brothers accidentally left a pot of boiled wheat sitting out, which led to the wheat becoming stale. Instead of discarding it, they rolled it out and toasted it, creating the first corn flakes. This mistake birthed the iconic Kellogg’s cereal brand.
- Bubble Wrap was initially created as textured wallpaper by engineers Marc Chavannes and Al Fielding. The product failed as wallpaper, but they repurposed it as packaging material, revolutionizing the shipping industry.
Chase your dreams with courage, and trust that each decision, right or wrong, will teach you something invaluable.
In the world of innovation, nothing is ever fully certain, but it’s the relentless pursuit of turning every choice into the right one that defines success.
Don’t paralyze yourself with the fear of making the wrong choice.
Don’t wait for some divine sign to point you in the „correct” direction.
That sign isn’t coming.
You create the path. You forge the future with every decision you make.
And remember, sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right. It’s easy to wait for the perfect answer, but the real power lies in taking action.
The key is informed decisions.
Gather the data.
Analyze it.
Trust your gut.
And then, act.
Don’t second-guess.
Don’t overthink.
Learn from the consequences, whatever they may be.
It’s not about always having the perfect solution.it’s about making what you do count.
Fear is a natural part of the business journey.
It’s easy to let fear of the unknown hold you back, convincing you that the future is uncertain and progress impossible.
But fear, while daunting, is also a sign that you’re in the game.
It’s a reminder that you still have something worth protecting, something worth fighting for.
The greatest opportunities often lie just beyond your biggest fears.
Think about that for a second: You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
No cosmic accidents.
No wrong turns.
This is your time.
The question is… what are you going to do about it?
Don’t waste it. Don’t wait for some perfect future, some ideal circumstance.
The journey may not always be smooth. It’s going to break your heart sometimes.
But every single twist, every single turn, is shaping you. It’s preparing you for what’s next.
It’s exactly what you need to get to the next level. To build the next insanely great thing.
So, if you truly have something valuable to hold onto, that’s the very reason to push ahead and achieve greatness. This is your opportunity.
