Expertise vs open-mindedness

You know that feeling when you see someone’s approach and think “This is a mess—it could be so much better”?

You start wondering why. Are they just stuck in old habits? Do they not know there are other options? Or do they know—and choose not to use them?

What if they don’t even know what “awesome” could look like? If only they could experience it, maybe they’d never go back to the old way.

But then, when someone suggests an improvement to me, it’s easy to think “Nope, that’s not going to work. I’ve tried it; I know it doesn’t work.”

But what if I’m the one missing out on what awesome could look like? But I’ve been there. I tried it and it didn’t work—should I stay open-minded and give it another shot or stick with my gut?

Finding that balance between holding your ground and letting go can be tricky.

I try to ask myself: Will pushing back help us move forward or am I just leaning on what’s comfortable? And, of course, I don’t always get it right.