Five Ways to Overcome the Folly of Perseverance

Bad ideas were good once but nothing always works.

Quitters never win. At least that’s what we think.

The danger of perseverance is
it’s virtuous but not always wise.

Thomas Edison famously said, “Many of life’s failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

Don’t let Edison’s statement drive you along a losing course.

Why we persevere when we should quit:

1. Self-confidence. Leaders persist when they should adapt because of perceived competence. “I can make it work.”
2. Progress. A little progress is a dangerous thing.
3. Hope. “Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torment of man.” Friedrich Nietzsche.
4. Success in the past.
5. Fear of failure.

Bonus: The value of past effort drives people to commit more effort in the present, sunk cost.

How to quit:

1. Adapting isn’t giving up. Stay focused on big goals while adjusting methods.
2. Define failure, as well as success, before beginning.
3. Ask, “What would new leaders do?” Then, do it.
4. Invite feedback from outsiders. You don’t see what others see.
5. Believe self-confidence may lead you astray.

Bonus: Never let the fear of failure and losing face make you foolish. Humble yourself.

Why do leaders hang on too long?

How can leaders learn to let go of things that aren’t working?

Stop Working Hard to Remain Stupid

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Inexperience is under rated.

Inexperienced people enjoy the courage of ignorance. They say, “Why not” rather than “we tried that.” Ignorance allows them to see what could be. They see fewer problems and more opportunities. They try because they haven’t failed.

Stupid and experienced:

Benjamin Franklin said, “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”

I’ve enabled my stupidity by working hard at not changing. Looking back, I see how I tended to employ the same methods too long hoping results would magically change. I kept thinking it will work rather than acknowledging it wasn’t.

I’m the victim of perseverance gone wrong.

Right experience:

Thomas Edison wisely said, “Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Edison didn’t, however, spend his life performing the same failed experiment, in the same way; over and over again.

The wisdom of perseverance is adaptability.

These days, I’m including inexperienced people in my circle of friends. They challenge me to adapt. All I need do is shut up and listen.

Three Benefits of inexperience:

1. Open minds.
2. Quick to complain.
3. Don’t know it can’t be done.

Three Drawbacks of the inexperience:

1. Talking too much.
2. Neglecting relationships.
3. Discounting ramifications.

Six strategies for leveraging the inexperienced:

1. Character matters more than experience. Go with character.
2. Core leadership competencies matter more than subject matter expertise. An ignorant person with leadership skills goes further than an expert who can’t lead.
3. Challenge them to move through complaining to developing next steps.
4. Avoid explaining what can’t be done.
5. Fuel their courage. Encourage them frequently and listen intently.
6. Give and receive constant feedback.

Stop working hard to remain stupid. Leadership is about inexperience – doing things you haven’t already done – and learning as you go.

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What other drawbacks and benefits do the inexperienced bring?

How might leaders or organizations better leverage the inexperienced?

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Visual of this post by Larry Coppenrath (click to enlarge):