UNLEARNING: THE KEY TO GROWTH IN THE NEW YEAR
WHY UNLEARNING MATTERS
As we approach the end of the year, many leaders are reflecting on a year of achievements, challenges, and growth. At Performance Strategies, we believe the close of the year is the perfect time to pause and consider not just what we’ve learned, but also what we might need to unlearn.
Rupert Bryce recently presented on the power of unlearning—an essential but often overlooked practice for leaders navigating today’s fast-changing world. While learning helps us adapt, unlearning requires the humility to challenge long-held assumptions and the courage to embrace new perspectives.
In an era defined by complexity, traditional ways of thinking and problem-solving may no longer serve us. As Kathryn Schulz reminds us: “Attachment to our own rightness keeps us from preventing mistakes when we absolutely need to.” By unlearning outdated approaches, we can create space for innovative thinking and better decision-making.
THE CHALLENGES OF UNLEARNING
Unlearning isn’t easy—it can feel like letting go of a piece of our identity. Many of us cling to past practices because they’ve worked before, or because change feels risky. However, unlearning is not about abandoning expertise; it’s about recognizing when certain skills, habits, or beliefs are no longer effective.
STEPS TO START UNLEARNING
As we head into 2025, consider these steps to cultivate a mindset of unlearning:
Notice Your Patterns: Reflect on recurring thoughts and habits. Ask yourself, “Is this still serving me?”
Reframe Your Perspective: Challenge assumptions and explore alternative viewpoints. What story are you telling yourself, and how might you be wrong?
Lean Into Discomfort: Unlearning requires courage. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and confront beliefs that may be holding you back.
Foster Curiosity: Adopt a beginner’s mindset. As Kathryn Schulz says, “The miracle of your mind isn’t that you can see the world as it is. It’s that you can see the world as it isn’t.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As Viktor Frankl wisely stated, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Let 2025 be a year of embracing the growth that comes not only from learning new things but also from letting go of what no longer works.
Happy New Year!
For more on Rupert Bryce’s coaching and Executive Leadership and Group Coaching visit the Performance Strategies website.