Over the years, I’ve collected little bites of wisdom—short phrases from clients, mentors, friends, parents, books, office walls, and life itself. Some are funny, some profound, and all of them memorable. They’re the kind of reminders that keep me focused and clear, picking me up when I need it.
I’ve scribbled them on sticky notes and in notebooks. I kept them and built a long list of them – never really sure what else I would do with the list. Sure, I referenced them when I needed them—and shared them when others needed to hear them. But it occurred to me that I never really fully unpacked their meaning - until now.
This series, “Lessons Learned Along the Way,” will be several essays explaining my take on several different bits of wisdom and what I think they mean. Some you will have heard before yourself and, no doubt, have your interpretation. That’s the fun. I hope you will share in the comments and perhaps where you first heard it.
Lesson #1: Have a CEO Mindset with a White-Belt Approach
I really love this lesson. It was shared by a client recently and it really strikes at the heart of why peer learning is so effective and important.
Most people think expertise is about knowing the answers. Business owners, CEOs, and Presidents especially, are expected to have them. But the best leaders know that answers are overrated. What matters more is learning; the best way to learn is to assume you don’t already know everything.
This is where the white-belt approach comes in. In martial arts, a white belt signals a beginner. But it’s also a mindset—one of curiosity and humility. A white belt doesn’t assume they’ve mastered anything. They ask questions. They watch closely. They’re eager to be corrected.
The mistake many leaders make is thinking their role is to project confidence. But blind confidence leads to blind spots.
If you walk into a room assuming you’re the smartest person, you’ll miss what others know. And worse, you’ll create an environment where people are afraid to challenge you. A CEO who embraces the white-belt mindset avoids these traps. They ask their team and outsiders for input, challenge their assumptions, and look for gaps in their understanding.
This approach isn’t just about personal growth; it’s strategic. Businesses are unpredictable. The strategies that worked yesterday likely will not work tomorrow. Staying open to new ideas and perspectives is how you adapt.
Lesson Learned: A CEO mindset with a white-belt approach is the best of both worlds. It means thinking big but staying grounded. You lead with confidence but never stop learning. Because no matter how high you climb, there’s always something new to master.