Are You Gambling or Investing?
Leadership is all about capitalizing on opportunities. Are your opportunities at the bank or at the casino?
Two distinct mindsets often emerge in every organization regarding growth and innovation. Let's call them the Gambler and the Investor.
The Gambler's Mindset
The Gambler is always on the lookout for that one big break:
"Let's find that miracle feature/change/adjustment that makes everything amazing all at once! I'm sure we'll win the lottery this time!"
This mindset is characterized by:
Chasing after the next shiny object
Hoping for overnight success
Constantly shifting focus
The Investor's Mindset
The Investor, on the other hand, takes a more measured approach:
"Let's commit to improving things every day. We have customers, we've achieved some level of product-market fit, and people buy what we're selling. Let's focus on delivering the most value possible."
This mindset is defined by:
Consistent, strategic improvements
Long-term thinking
Customer-centric focus
Addressing the Pushback
Now, you might be thinking, "Are you suggesting we shouldn't have creative and innovative ideas? Should we avoid risk or entrepreneurial endeavors? Are we limited to just 'incremental changes'?"
Not at all. Here's the key: Investment mindset isn't the enemy of innovation—nor is it purely risk avoidance. Investors take calculated risks to build something meaningful. Gamblers take unmeasured risks in hopes of getting lucky. It’s about mindset.
The Real Question
Ask yourself:
Does your team operate from a mindset of strategic investment, carefully weighing commitments and risks while preparing for the future?
Or do you find yourselves constantly chasing the new and shiny, hoping that "while the last thing wasn't the miracle cure we'd hoped for, this next thing is sure to make all our troubles go away!"?
The Bottom Line
Yes, some gamblers win the lottery, and some investors go broke. But here is some old-timey wisdom to consider:
A savvy gambler would bet on investment; the odds are strong that you'll win that game.
By adopting an investor's mindset, you're not stifling creativity or avoiding every risk. Instead, you're channeling your innovative spirit into a framework that's more likely to yield sustainable, long-term success. This trait is what separates the great entrepreneurs from the pretenders.
What mindset drives your team's decisions? Are you constantly gambling on the next big thing, or faithfully investing in consistent growth and improvement?