In the realm of bids, tenders, and business winning, we often hear the call for maturity and professionalism. The aptly named ‘Coming of Age’ theme raises an intriguing question: As our profession transitions from ‘adolescence’ to ‘adulthood’, are we inadvertently discarding valuable traits that could give us a competitive edge?
The business world typically views adolescence and immaturity negatively, favouring the perceived stability of adulthood. We must challenge this assumption. Is maturity always beneficial in a rapidly evolving business landscape or are the very characteristics we associate with youth – creativity, risk-taking, and unconventional thinking – precisely what we need to thrive?
The Power of “Why”
Remember when every other word out of your mouth was “Why”? Insatiable curiosity is a goldmine for innovation. Dropbox was born from Drew Houston’s frustration at forgetting his USB flash drive. His adolescent-like questioning of “Why can’t files be accessible everywhere?” led to a revolutionary cloud storage solution. By constantly challenging the status quo, we can open doors to groundbreaking ideas.
Fearless Communication
Adolescents are notorious for their unfiltered communication. Tact is crucial in business but there’s immense value in direct, straightforward messaging. Steve Jobs was famous for his blunt communication style, leaving no room for misinterpretation and driving Apple to create world-changing products. In your next pitch or team meeting, try channelling that adolescent directness – you might be surprised at the results.
Embracing “Foolish” Ideas
Remember the “crazy” ideas you had as a teenager? In business, those seemingly outlandish concepts can be the seeds of innovation. Take Airbnb. It was an absurd idea at first (letting strangers sleep in your home) but it’s now a multi-billion dollar company. Don’t be quick to dismiss ideas that seem foolish at first glance; they might just be the next big thing.
The 7-Day Adolescent Mindset Challenge
Ready to recapture your adolescent creativity? Take on my 7-Day Challenge: (I do most on a daily basis already but will join you on this challenge):
Ask “why” five times a day
Propose one “crazy” idea in a meeting
Communicate one message as directly as possible
Spend 10 minutes daydreaming about impossible solutions
Break a “rule” (legal caveat: safely and ethically) in your work process
Mentor someone younger, and ask them to teach you something
Approach a familiar task as if you’ve never done it before
Embracing these adolescent traits can help us break free from outdated thinking patterns and inject fresh creativity into our professional lives. As we journey to “adulthood” in our profession, let’s harness the vibrant, innovative spirit of our “adolescence” to drive progress and innovation. The future belongs to those who can blend the wisdom of experience with the fearless creativity of youth.
Simon Wellstead
Simon is the Managing Director of SMSW Media, a creative and marketing agency with one focus – maximising revenue for its clients. Simon’s early years working in blue-chip sales means he understands what it takes to grow. His dogged determination to simplify and challenge at all levels means that he can cut through the crap and unearth true value propositions.
