For a leader, sticking rigidly to the status quo can mean falling behind. Brené Brown, known for her work in courageous leadership, notes, “To stay relevant and engaged in a rapidly changing world, leaders must cultivate curiosity and cognitive flexibility.”
Are you curious enough to question the way things have always been done?
How flexible are your thought processes when tackling tough decisions?
Status quo thinking feels safe—until it isn’t. When you cling to what’s familiar, you risk your team’s and organization’s relevance. Innovation and progressive change aren’t found in comfort—they require flexibility.
Think of cognitive flexibility as a muscle—the more you exercise it, the stronger your ability to both widen your perspective and pinpoint innovative solutions.
Strengthening this muscle—strengthens your judgment and your leadership.
Here are 6 practical ways to build cognitive flexibility:
- Challenge your thinking patterns
- Develop the habit of asking better questions
- Engage regularly in complex problem-solving
- Practice thinking differently (visual, abstract, practical)
- Broaden your experiences
- Intentionally nurture a growth mindset
So, which of these strategies will you practice? Will you start building your cognitive flexibility today?
#leaderedge
