TL;DR
Limiting beliefs are ingrained convictions that constrain us in some way. These beliefs silently impairs company culture and business performance.
It was the end of 2021, and we were all excited about launching a big new feature in our app next year. I was thrilled because this feature had the potential to significantly enhance our app’s activity level.
To ensure a successful launch, we gathered the team responsible for the feature’s launch and management to discuss the target objective for the first year.
I believed we needed to be bold. I usually follow the SMART framework when determining objectives, and for me, a “meaningful” target meant that we needed to conclude that the feature was freaking game changer.
Initially, I set a target of ~$5 million (the specifics of what the value mean is not relevant here), fully aware that this figure paled in comparison to the numbers employed by larger players in the market – usually in the billions.
However, the team seemed hesitant about my proposal. “That’s not achievable,” they said, although no one could quite explain why. It wasn’t a matter of limited resources, market conditions, or any other logical reason. It simply seemed “too big” for a first year.
I continued to advocate for a meaningful target because for me anything under that number was depressing. However, as days passed, it became increasingly clear that no logical explanation could change the team’s mindset. They simply didn’t believe it was possible to achieve that target.
In the end, we ended up going for a smaller target, which was never reached.
This is the tricky thing about beliefs, especially limiting ones: when they’re deeply ingrained, no amount of logic or persuasion can easily shake them. Furthermore, even with the best strategies and the most motivated individuals, if everyone isn’t united in their beliefs, the objectives might as well be mere pipe dreams.
What Exactly Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are deeply ingrained assumptions or convictions that constrain us in some way. These beliefs are often formed through past experiences, societal expectations, or even stories we’ve been told.
They are the stories we tell ourselves about what we can or cannot do, or what is or isn’t possible. These beliefs often manifest as thoughts like, “I’m not good enough,” “We can’t achieve that target,” or “That’s just how things are.”
The Origin of Limiting Beliefs
The idea of limiting beliefs comes from psychological theories like Albert Ellis’s Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Therapy. These theories were developed in the 1950s and 1960s. They emphasize how negative and irrational thoughts can affect our emotions and behaviors.
The term “limiting beliefs” became popular thanks to psychologist Wayne Dyer and his book “Your Erroneous Zones” in 1976. Dyer defined limiting beliefs as thoughts and beliefs that hold us back from personal growth and success. He believed that these beliefs often originate from our early experiences and the messages we receive from influential figures like parents and teachers. However, I believe there might be more to it than just that.
As time went on, the idea of limiting beliefs became widely acknowledged in various fields, including psychology, personal development, and coaching / self-help. It became evident that limiting beliefs greatly influence an individual’s self-perception, confidence, and ability to pursue goals.
Relationship with Growth Mindset
One important person to consider when studying the influence of beliefs on human behavior is Carol Dweck. She is a psychologist famous for her research on the concept of “fixed vs. growth mindset.”
In her book, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,” she posits that individuals with a fixed mindset believe that abilities and intelligence are static traits, leading them to avoid challenges and give up easily—hallmarks of limiting beliefs.
On the other hand, a growth mindset fosters the belief that abilities can be developed, making challenges and failures not setbacks but opportunities for growth. Therefore, these people tend to believe that things can change with due effort.
So, as you can see, limiting beliefs are generally symptomatic of a fixed mindset—the antithesis of a growth mindset.
The Reach of Limiting Beliefs in Business
In the context of business, limiting beliefs can be like termites, quietly but relentlessly eroding the foundation. These beliefs are not just individual barriers; they can become part of the company culture.
Take, for example, the belief that “we’ve always done it this way, so changing our approach won’t work.” This kind of thinking is why some businesses fail to adapt to market changes and get overtaken by more agile competitors.
The Weight of Anecdotal Experiences
Sometimes these limiting beliefs are formed based on prior work experiences. You tried something once, it didn’t work, and now you’re convinced it will never work. But here’s the kicker: those experiences are often anecdotal and specific to a set of circumstances. Just because something didn’t work in the past doesn’t mean it’s doomed to fail in the future.
Practical Evidences
In my day to day, this are the most common situations I see limiting beliefs impairing important discussions:
- Determining numerical targets based in past results that are not causal. For example, “4Q never represented more than 30% of sales, therefore, it will never reach such level”
- Determining strategies based on anecdotal evidences. For example, “I was told by X this approach does not work for our customer profile, therefore it will not work for us”. The person X holds some sort of prominence.
- Determine course of action based on benchmarks. For example, “the average turnover for a sales department is 20%, therefore, we being better than that is something not worth the effort”.
There are many more examples.
Note that limiting beliefs are present in all of us in some degree, but the problem I’m trying to point out is when they are constituents of a persons’ mindset. This, I believe its note rare, on the contrary, I believe it is the norm and can be the case even for people that are aware of the growth mindset concept.
Unshackling Your Business from Limiting Beliefs
So, there are some approaches I see adequate to battle limiting beliefs, but they are really hard to implement, as they are basically related to culture development.
Fostering a Culture of Possibility
The first step to dismantling limiting beliefs is to recognize them. This is easier said than done, but it starts with cultivating a culture of open dialogue where team members feel safe to express their thoughts.
Data Over Anecdotal
Replace anecdotal experiences with data-driven decisions. Before dismissing a proposal as too ambitious, ask for the data. More often than not, you’ll find that the limitations are more perceived than real.
Engage in Perspective-Shifting Exercises
Encourage your team to challenge their own beliefs by stepping into others’ shoes. For example, if someone believes a target is unattainable, ask them to argue the opposite viewpoint. This exercise can lead to breakthroughs and help replace limiting beliefs with empowering ones.
Develop a Growth Mindset
Fostering a growth mindset within your team can go a long way. When challenges are seen as opportunities for growth, limiting beliefs start to lose their power.