Where is the greatest risk to your safety when driving? Most would think the interstate. However, the complete opposite is truth. Most accidents happen within 5 minutes of home. Why? It all comes down to hubris. We think we know what will happen because of familiarity. The same happens in life and business.

How many times has arrogance and led to something bad happening? After all, the Bible says pride goes before a fall. Kids are notorious for thinking they know better than their parents. There is a reason why you must tell your child repeatedly to not touch a hot stove. We think we know best. Unfortunately, the same happens in business. Is it really a bad idea or do you just want to do things your way?

2020 was an unfortunate but clear picture of the lack of pivoting. Though unforeseen, COVID showed how many businesses were willing to change and which ones weren’t. At Consolidated, we had to figure out how to meet with agencies outside of being face to face. However, some businesses did succeed. For instance, Chick Fil A increase profits by 13% during 2020! That is almost a billion dollars made during the pandemic.

Ultimately, being unwilling to change comes down to a fear of loss. We fear somebody may be seen as smarter than us or our authority is challenged. However, we fail to realize that change is happening constantly, and sometimes fighting it isn’t smart. Like most fears, they are imaginations of things that COULD happen but more than likely won’t.

From governments to businesses, fear and hubris makes fools of us all. We would rather lose a potential opportunity than possibly loose delusions of grandeur. Having a humility and foresight trumps even the best of skills.