Seems like a lesser talked about subject, unlearning. In the ever-evolving world of business, success isn’t just about learning new skills or acquiring fresh knowledge; it’s also about letting go of outdated habits, beliefs and practices. Unlearning is the silent disruptor– an often overlooked, yet transformative force that helps leaders and organisations stay agile, innovative and relevant in a fast-changing landscape. The realisation kept seeping in my mind (when certain situations I faced), as to how important it is to keep unlearning.
Why Unlearning is Crucial for Leadership Success
The rapid pace of technological advancements, market disruptions and shifting customer behaviours demands leaders who can adapt swiftly. However, adaptation is often hindered by ingrained habits and legacy thinking. While learning teaches us what to do, unlearning frees us from what no longer serves us. However, the raison d’être of organisational unlearning still is still debated.
Organisational unlearning implies that organisations intentionally and deliberately discard undesired, obsolete, or harmful knowledge- often to make room for the creation of new knowledge (Tsang and Zahra)
Unlearning isn’t about discarding everything you know; it’s about selectively letting go of what no longer aligns with the present or future. For instance, a leader who has relied on top-down decision-making may need to unlearn hierarchical thinking to foster a collaborative, empowered team culture—a necessity in today’s agile organisations.
How Unlearning Drives Innovation and Growth
Unlearning clears the mental clutter, creating space for fresh ideas and perspectives. In the marketing world, unlearning outdated techniques has allowed leaders to embrace data-driven storytelling and customer-centric strategies. The same holds true in leadership. By shedding rigid beliefs, leaders unlock the ability to innovate, pivot and inspire their teams to achieve transformative results.
My Top Two Practical Strategies for Unlearning in Leadership
- Challenge the Status Quo with Intentional Reflection
Unlearning starts with identifying deeply held beliefs or practices that no longer add value. Leaders can engage in intentional reflection by regularly asking:
- Why do we do things this way?
- What assumptions are we holding onto?
- Are these practices still aligned with our goals?
For example, many organisations once believed that in-office work was non-negotiable for productivity. The pandemic forced leaders to unlearn this assumption, paving the way for hybrid and remote work models that are now widely recognised as efficient and flexible solutions.
Leaders must also embrace feedback- both from peers and teams- as a way to identify blind spots. Creating a culture of openness encourages everyone to question and improve collective practices.
- Embrace New Frameworks Through Experimentation
Unlearning isn’t just about letting go; it’s about replacing the old with the new. Experimentation is a powerful way to do this. Leaders who are willing to test new approaches can discover better ways of working, even if it means failing fast and learning in the process.
Take the example of Blockbuster. Its reluctance to unlearn the brick-and-mortar video rental model prevented it from adapting to the streaming revolution—a gap Netflix boldly filled. Netflix’s leadership, on the other hand, constantly unlearns and redefines its strategies, transitioning from DVDs to streaming and now to content creation.
Experimentation fosters a mindset of curiosity and adaptability, qualities essential for thriving in an unpredictable business environment.
The Strategic Role of Unlearning for C-Suite Leaders
For global leaders, unlearning isn’t just a personal exercise; it’s a cultural one. To stay ahead, organisations must foster a mindset of collective unlearning. This requires:
- Leading by example. When leaders demonstrate their willingness to unlearn, it sets a precedent for the rest of the organisation.
- Encouraging psychological safety. Teams need to feel safe to challenge norms and suggest new ideas.
- Continuous upskilling. Encouraging professional development helps employees embrace new methods and discard the obsolete.
Unlearning can be particularly critical when navigating technological disruptions like AI and automation. Leaders who resist unlearning analogue processes may fall behind, while those who embrace digital transformation unlock new opportunities.
A Reflection for Future-Ready Leaders
Researching organisational unlearning, however, also requires an understanding of individuals and groups, as organisations do not have cognitive capabilities per se (Hedberg 1981; Brooks et al. 2022).
For example, awareness and relinquishing capabilities are strongly connected to intentional knowledge loss of individuals (Becker 2008, 2010). Individual unlearning can also be described as a transformative journey of discernment including receptivity, recognition and grieving (Macdonald 2002).
In the words of Alvin Toffler, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”
Call to Action for Leaders
What beliefs, strategies or practices might be holding you or your organisation back? Take a moment to reflect, challenge and experiment. The power to grow often lies in what we’re willing to unlearn.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
Extending beyond academia; Ankoor has been honoured with the "CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE 2024" award by Passion Vista and recognized as the "MAN OF EXCELLENCE, 2024" by the prestigious Indian Achievers' Award. Additionally, he received the "LEADER 2.0 AWARD, 2023" from adgully and was named a "DIGITAL KAIZEN LEADER by DigiAdCon 2024”, Dr. Dasguupta's contributions to the field of marketing are widely acclaimed, marking him as an inspiring thought leader in his domain. Ankoor is also a member of IMA India’s CMO Forum.
Most recently Dr. Dasguupta has been selected and felicitated with the national level award -Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Award 2024 in the category Youth Icon of the Year.
Dr. Dasguupta is a key member of the esteemed International CMO Council and keeps delivering lectures at top Business Schools and also colleges at University of Delhi. As an industry expert, Ankoor has also been a member of the interview panel at MICA for their PGP Group Exercise & Personal Interview PI process for PGDM-C/PGDM selection for two consecutive years. Dr. Dasguupta is also on the Advisory Board of the Marketing Department at ISBR Business School, Bangalore. Recognized by DMA Asia as a marketing Ace, Dr. Dasguupta is a LinkedIn Top Voice, advocate of social impact, driven by kaizen, Ankoor believes in the power of Energy and Energize
Dr. Ankoor is practicing his PCC (Level 2) coaching from the gold standard International Coaching Federation [ICF]. He is a people's person and has worked across functions in senior leadership positions in marketing, advertising, media & communication with a pedigree of 24 years and ongoing exciting journey. Trained from Dale Carnegie in Mentoring to Develop Talent, Ankoor is a marketing practitioner, a coach, a knowledge manager, a team builder, a thought-leader, an avid writer with close to 100 published articles / interviews and is a Thought Leader. Dr.Ankoor wears the hat of a CMO as well. His leisure pursuits are reading, effective listening and percussion. Follow Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta on LinkedIn| https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankoordasguupta/
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