New opportunities require new ways of thinking

Over the past few months, I’ve been exploring new opportunities and paths, specifically looking for additional revenue streams to add to my “collection” as a self-employed professional. On several occasions, I’ve run into a similar mindset shared by people in management/leadership positions, and I’ve heard these words over and over again: “Don’t try to change us. This is how we do things…”

I can’t help but wonder why people develop this mindset, and why they’re closing off any new ideas. Why, at this time, when our economy is suffering and sales are slow in every industry, would we want to continue doing things the same way we did 10 or 20 (or even 30) years ago? Why don’t we want to change? Why wouldn’t we want to embrace new ideas and opportunities?

When I ran into my high school social studies teacher about a year ago, she said hello and she also said that she remembers that I always asked a lot of questions in class. — She did add that they were “good” questions, by the way… 😉 — I guess I haven’t changed much in that way: I’m still asking  a lot of questions. But, over the years, I have changed in the way I see the world around me, and I’ve learned that new opportunities require new ways of thinking.

What do you think? If you have answers to any of my questions, please share them here.

Until next time, take care and thanks for reading!

Kathy

4 thoughts on “New opportunities require new ways of thinking

  1. Ellen Weber

    Great questions Kathy, and she the Mita Brain Center designs brainpowered tools to facilitae change — this is a topic we explore.

    Today I was interviewed on the Wonders and Woes of Change at a radio Staion – at http://bit.ly/iVwELJ – and will be addressing some of the ideas in a blog over next two days.

    In the meantime we’ve found that – it’s critical facilitate folks in stagnant org to want change that offers benefits – or to work with others who are ready to embrace innovation for the new era.

    It starts with the kind of questions you engage here, so thanks for the openmindedness you bring to leadership!

  2. Kathy Magrino Post author

    Thanks, Ellen (@ellenfweber)!! I’ll listen to your interview and look forward to your blog. Thanks for commenting here! 😉
    Kathy

  3. Robyn McMaster

    I like the way you continue to ask thoughtful questions, Kathy.

    Kathy, when people develop routines at work, there is no guesswork or challenge to what is comfortable to them. Many people, including supervisors and managers would say that if it works, “Why change it?” Routines like this are stored in the brain’s basal ganglia, which occupies a large portion of your brain. The more you keep doing a routine, the harder it is to change it. This is one reason people don’t want to change.

    On the other hand, when you are challenged to change, you begin to work in the brain’s working memory, which is small and only holds a small bit of new information at a time. It is often discomfiting to work in the working memory. It also does not hold new information very long. For instance, if people sit in a seminar to listen to a new way of approaching team work, they might be very excited if the speaker is motivational and uses interactive approaches. But, when they leave and begin other activities, the new facts learned are soon lost as other pieces of information replace them.

    Effective change takes time, more “doing of” the new approach and perhaps ongoing coaching. Hope this gives you some helpful insights.

  4. Kathy Magrino Post author

    Thank you, Robyn (@RobynMcMaster)! I now have a better understanding of how people’s brains work… and why they’re so resistant to change and new approaches. Hopefully, I can develop more patience in my interactions with people who are so uncomfortable with change… I appreciate that you and Ellen took the time to comment here. Thanks, again!

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