Leaning In to Unfamiliar or Uncomfortable Change Is the Key to Staying Ahead

Human beings tend to 'lean out' of the unfamiliar—new technologies, strange ideas, or shifts that threaten identity. This isn’t arrogance, it’s a mix of cognitive dissonance (the discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs) and psychological inertia. Historically, leaning out has meant missing transformative opportunities. Think of the CEOs who scoffed at digital music or social media, only to watch their companies vanish as the world changed.

Behavioral science tells us this knee-jerk reaction is normal. To counter it, some of the world’s smartest operators cultivate a contrarian habit: when they feel that urge to dismiss something as “ridiculous” or “too risky,” they do the opposite. They ask, listen, and withhold judgment. Psychological nuance also matters. Sometimes, both the old and new contain truth—and real mastery is embracing complexity, holding two truths side by side without needing an answer immediately.

The world will keep accelerating; the only way to avoid becoming obsolete is to treat discomfort as a cue for curiosity, not retreat.

Whenever you catch yourself rolling your eyes at a new technology or trend, press pause on your skepticism and ask a few strategic questions: 'What problem is this supposed to solve?', 'Who stands to gain if this succeeds?', and 'What do its critics fear most?' Seek out voices unlike your own, following a handful of creators or experts who challenge your stance. Next, write down what you respect about both the new and the old, holding them together without needing to pick sides. By defaulting to curiosity and asking how this change might serve (rather than threaten) you, you stay ahead without blind spots. Give it a try the next time you feel left behind.