New Year, Same Business Challenges? Sometimes You Just Need a New Perspective

As we step into a new year, many organizations find themselves grappling with the same challenges that seemed insurmountable last year. It’s not uncommon to feel like you’ve tried everything, and yet, solutions remain elusive. Sometimes, the answer isn’t a new strategy or initiative—it’s a new perspective.

The Case for Fresh Perspectives

I’ve experienced a variety of organizational cultures during my career, each with its own approach to fostering fresh thinking. Some companies operate with an “up or out” mentality, encouraging employees to change roles every 2-3 years. This constant movement brings new energy and ideas to different areas of the business, particularly in Marketing and Sales. The downside? Short-term thinking often prevails, as leaders focus on quick wins rather than long-term impacts.

Conversely, I’ve worked with organizations where structural movement is rare, and individuals remain in the same roles for a decade or more. While this stability allows leaders to see initiatives through from inception to execution, it often leads to stale ideas and an over-reliance on past experiences (“We did that… it didn’t work”).

So, what’s the right balance? Ideally, you want someone on the business long enough to understand its nuances and see projects through, but not so long that fresh thinking is stifled.

Recognizing When It’s Time for a New Perspective

For me, the moment I start saying, “We did that…” is a red flag. It’s a signal that I’ve been immersed in the same challenges for too long and need to bring in someone else’s perspective. Whether you’re leading a team or driving an initiative, recognizing this moment is critical to avoiding stagnation.

How to Inject Fresh Thinking

If you’re feeling stuck, here are three ways to gain a new perspective:

1. Surround Yourself with People Smarter Than YouIt may sound hokey, but having team members with capabilities or thinking styles that differ from yours can be a game-changer. In my experience, even individuals whose styles initially frustrated me (too reactionary, too focused on one side of the problem) pushed my thinking in valuable ways.

2. Seek Internal Guidance from Outside the BusinessFind someone within your organization who isn’t directly involved in your business but understands the company’s culture and dynamics. A trusted colleague—your “best friend at work”—can help vet ideas and offer insights without being too close to the situation.

3. Engage External PerspectivesSometimes, the best solutions come from someone completely outside your business. External advisors can draw from their experiences across industries and categories to help you see opportunities you might have missed. They can:

   • Identify ideas you’ve tried before but could succeed now with new tools or learnings.

   • Uncover solutions you’re too close to see.

   • Help you convince stakeholders to invest in the change you know is necessary.
     

The Bottom Line

As the saying goes, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” If your challenges persist, it might not be a lack of effort or strategy—it might be a lack of perspective. This year, give yourself and your business the gift of fresh thinking. Whether it’s seeking internal allies, surrounding yourself with smarter voices, or engaging external expertise, the right perspective can make all the difference.

It’s a new year, but the challenges haven’t gone away. Let’s tackle them together.