Change can be hard. One study shows that nearly half (40%) of employees feel anxious about change, making it the most common emotional response to workplace change. Even though it’s difficult, change is necessary for growth. Whether you’re new to the promo industry or you’re an experienced pro, growth comes from staying curious and being willing to try new things.
Lolly Daskal, a renowned leadership expert, author and speaker, has seen many leaders who were once at the top of their game struggle to stay relevant. It wasn’t due to a lack of knowledge but an unwillingness to evolve. Instead of questioning their approach and staying open to trying new things, she says these leaders doubled down on what once worked.
If you tend to hold onto the past and push back against change, read on. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share Daskal’s expert guidance on how you can stay open as a leader and shift your mindset into one that focuses on the future.
1. Challenge your thinking. You may think you know best, but do you really? What worked in the past may not necessarily work now, Daskal says. Factor in a changing market, shifting employee expectations and new technology, and ask yourself: “Would I make this same decision if I were starting fresh today?” If you assume your past successes guarantee future results, you’re missing out.
2. Be open to new technology. According to Daskal, leaders who resist technology don’t just fall behind but lose relevance. Don’t dismiss AI or automation as a distraction. Instead, she recommends learning how to use it to your advantage.
3. Welcome younger voices. Maybe you have an intern at your promo company or you hired a recent college grad. Learn from them, Daskal says. The next generation could see opportunities that you’ve overlooked. Engaging with fresh perspectives is a great way to stay ahead, so get curious and ask questions.
4. Make decisions for tomorrow instead of yesterday. If nostalgia gets the best of you, watch out. Businesses don’t thrive on looking backward, Daskal says, but on anticipating what’s coming next. To be a forward-thinking leader, scan for future opportunities, change course when needed and prepare for what’s ahead. If you make decisions based on how things used to be, Daskal says you’re already behind.
5. Be bold and take calculated risks. Now isn’t the time to play it safe. Innovation requires risk-taking, so experiment a little and learn from your mistakes. According to Daskal, the companies shaping the future aren’t the ones that avoid risk but the ones that take it before everyone else.
You can be a better leader and promo expert by staying open to new ideas, tools and ways of thinking. Build upon your past successes, let go of what no longer works and keep moving forward.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Lolly Daskal is the founder of Lead from Within, a global leadership and consulting firm. She’s a best-selling author, keynote speaker and columnist.
