We all know the saying, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” But in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, this mindset can keep you stuck.
Are you building your business with the same few puzzle pieces, hoping to complete the bigger picture? The hard truth is this: the most important pieces might not even be in your box yet!
Think of your business as a puzzle. You might have most of the key pieces—operations, marketing, strategy—but without those missing pieces from diverse perspectives, you’ll never see the full picture.
As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to stay within our comfort zones, surrounded by people who echo our ideas but what if your business’s biggest growth opportunities are outside that circle?
Growth often comes from insights you haven’t considered yet.
Why Staying in Your Bubble Keeps You Stuck:
It’s tempting to rely on familiar sources for advice. After all, these are people you trust. But this comfort can lead to stagnation.
Research shows that businesses embracing diverse viewpoints are 70% more likely to enter new markets (Harvard Business Review).
Here’s the problem:
Familiar voices often reinforce your current way of thinking. Real growth requires challenges to your perspective.
The Puzzle Approach: How Diverse Perspectives Drive Success
Every business is like a puzzle. The essential pieces—operations, innovation, customer experience—must fit together seamlessly. Sometimes, the missing pieces come from unexpected places.
How We Burst The Familiarity Bubble:
At Fermata, I’ve experienced firsthand how diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a business strategy that delivers. Whether it’s rethinking operations or crafting tailored business strategies, diversity drives creative solutions!
From improving operational efficiency in my earlier car rental business to creating tailored solutions for business leaders at Fermata, our team’s varied perspectives have been a major game changer!
This diversity has helped us uncover insights that a single-minded approach would have missed. From rethinking customer service models to designing strategies for leadership pipelines, stepping outside the bubble of familiar ideas has driven us forward time and again.
How 2 Iconic Leaders Tapped Into the Power of Diverse Perspectives
The best leaders know that growth doesn’t come from listening to the same voices.
Howard Schultz: Brewing Success from the Ground Up
In 2008, Starbucks was struggling. Sales were dropping, customers were frustrated, and the company had lost its way.
Instead of leaning solely on his executives, CEO Howard Schultz turned to baristas and customers for answers.
By listening to the people on the front lines, Schultz realized that Starbucks had overcomplicated its operations and drifted from its core mission.
Their feedback helped him refocus on customer experience—simplifying processes, improving training, and bringing back quality over quantity. That shift brought Starbucks back to life.
Steve Jobs: The Creative Edge
Steve Jobs didn’t rely only on tech experts to build Apple’s legacy.
He sought out input from artists, designers, and musicians—people outside of tech who could bring fresh ideas to the table.
This approach shaped products like the iPod, which wasn’t just a piece of technology but a cultural phenomenon.
By blending engineering with creativity, Jobs and his team reimagined how people experienced music and turned Apple into a global icon.
How You Can Find the Missing Pieces for Your Growth:
Finding the missing pieces for your business isn’t a matter of luck—it’s about creating opportunities to discover them.
1️⃣ Embrace Open Feedback:
Your employees, customers, and collaborators often see what you can’t. Create an environment where they feel safe to share their ideas. That one suggestion you overlooked could be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.
Think of it this way: every conversation is a chance to uncover a piece of the bigger picture.
2️⃣ Step Outside Your Industry:
The most innovative ideas often come from unexpected places. Seek input from people in different industries or attend events outside your usual circles.
It’s like adding a fresh color to your business palette—you’ll create something you never thought possible.
3️⃣ Apply the 3rd Party Rule:
Before making a major decision, consult three people outside your regular circle. Their unbiased perspectives can help you spot blind spots or discover new solutions.
Sometimes, it takes an outsider to see what’s right in front of you.
Must-Apply Insights for Growth and Innovation:
- Growth happens when leaders step outside their comfort zones and open themselves up to fresh perspectives.
- It’s not about having a massive team or grand strategy—it starts with small, intentional shifts.
- Relying only on familiar voices can limit your vision. It’s easy to fall into the trap of confirmation bias, where we seek out ideas that align with what we already believe. But some of the best breakthroughs come from challenging those patterns.
- Listening to diverse perspectives isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the key to solving challenges and sparking real innovation.
- Start small: invite voices you haven’t heard before, listen deeply, and take their insights seriously. Align what you learn with your vision and take action.
You might be surprised by what happens next!
Challenge Yourself Today:
Who’s outside your bubble that you need to listen to?
Their insights could be the missing pieces that finally complete your puzzle!
Let’s start the conversation—what’s one insight you’ve gained from someone outside your usual circle? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
