Flat Earthers believe the Earth is flat, yet many of these same people accept the Big Bang theory, which proposes that the universe was once the size of a marble. They reject something with overwhelming, definitive proof while embracing something theoretical. We have photographs of Earth, but none of the universe before it came into existence.
We see this same phenomenon play out every day. In our current political climate, the effort to believe false claims often exceeds the effort to find truth. This pattern extends into business, where our beliefs can similarly cloud our judgment. Some of you approach key areas of business and achievable results as if the Earth were flat, rejecting clear facts while readily believing that a new service manager or salesperson will theoretically solve all your problems.
In all these cases, we’re choosing ideology over facts. We cling to the history that brought us here, protecting it even when our results clearly show we haven’t reached our goals or met our needs. This attachment to comfortable beliefs over challenging truths holds us back from genuine progress and innovation.
Speaking of challenging beliefs, I was recently reminded of this during a Peer group meeting. Our group is filled with people I trust, respect, and care deeply about. One member presented a burning issue, and the responses were passionate. Everyone had strong feelings, with several views directly opposing each other. I found this fascinating. Despite having my own strong opinion, it made me pause and question whether I needed to think differently. Ultimately, the member who raised the question shifted their perspective based on our discussion.
This experience reminded me of something I’ve observed throughout my career: The most successful business leaders aren’t necessarily the ones with the most knowledge or experience, but rather those who remain open to changing their minds when presented with new information. They understand that protecting their ego is less important than growing their business and developing their team.
Think about the last time you encountered a business challenge. Did you immediately jump to solutions that felt comfortable and familiar, or did you take time to question your assumptions? Were you willing to consider that your usual approach might be part of the problem rather than the solution?
Challenging closely held views is central to fulfilling our potential. While this can be difficult, I’ve observed that it becomes easier with practice over time. Unfortunately, some people never develop this skill, limiting their potential and damaging relationships. We should all view this as an essential skill to develop.
The truth is, in business, as in life, being right isn’t nearly as important as being willing to learn. Every time we defend our position without truly considering alternative viewpoints, we miss an opportunity for growth. Every time we dismiss new ideas because they don’t fit our existing beliefs, we potentially leave money on the table and limit our company’s potential.
I’ve seen companies transform when their leaders finally let go of long-held beliefs about what’s possible or impossible in their market. I’ve watched struggling businesses turn around when owners stopped believing their industry was “different” or that certain changes “wouldn’t work here.” These transformations always begin with the willingness to challenge our thinking.
Remember — growth begins when certainty ends.