I saw this headline in Tech Industry this week, “Apple CEO Cook: ‘We’re unrivaled’ in innovation”. It made me think of being too self confident. Just like the Swiss watch makers, and many other industries. The thing about innovation is that you will never see it coming. That is why it is called innovation.
Self confidence is a good trait. Don’t get me wrong. But so is being humble. If Tim Cook really believes that no one else is as innovative as Apple, it is time to sell your stock. Innovation is particularly strong when it crosses industries. If Tim Cook is only looking at computer technology companies, maybe Apple is the most innovative. But his real threat is someone or some industry that is unknown in the tech world.
Here are three questions you should ask yourself this week.
1. Is my self confidence creating blind spots for me? Self confidence is very powerful, but self confidence overused is a weakness. If you suspect that you are too confident, get out of your comfort zone.
2. Am I continuing to stretch myself? Are you in the mode of maintaining your routine, and have stopped learning new skills? Find something new, something relevant but different, and spend some time growing.
3. Where do people challenge me? If you are in an environment that people are afraid to challenge you, you will never be working at your potential. I don’t mean you should put yourself in a hostile work environment. You should find an environment where it is acceptable to challenge others, to be challenged, and where it is fine to fail, and learn.
I hope Tim Cook is not in a corner, and blind to Apple’s challenges. Because they are out there.