Think bold. Lead Different: The CEO Mindset for becoming No. 1 in your sector
Different Requires Ideas
Ideas are the foundation of differentiation. The most successful CEOs, founders, and business leaders aren’t just executing a strategy—they are constantly creating new ways of thinking, new ways of serving customers, and new ways of disrupting the status quo.
The problem? Ideas are fragile. In traditional business settings, unique ideas get crushed under the weight of skepticism, bureaucracy, or the fear of failure. But if you want to be number one, you need to build a culture where ideas are not just encouraged but actively tested.
Surround yourself with thinkers, not just doers – People who challenge your perspective will push your company forward.
Create space for creativity – Don’t expect innovation from back-to-back meetings and endless spreadsheets.
Question everything – The best ideas come from challenging industry norms, even the ones that seem untouchable.
Different Requires Getting Things Wrong
Most companies optimise for efficiency. They minimise risk. They focus on predictability. But if you want to lead, you need to optimise for learning—and learning comes from getting things wrong.
Amazon famously embraces failure as part of innovation. Jeff Bezos has often said that if Amazon had only had one or two big failures, it wouldn’t be pushing boundaries hard enough. The lesson? Mistakes aren’t just inevitable; they’re necessary.
Test fast, fail fast, learn fast – The quicker you learn what doesn’t work, the faster you find what does.
Make bold moves – Playing small won’t get you to the top. Even if some bets don’t pay off, the right ones will.
Don’t fear the pivot – If you realise something isn’t working, change course quickly. Speed of adaptation is a competitive advantage.
Different Requires Boldness
Being number one means standing out. And standing out requires boldness—bold ideas, bold branding, bold execution. Boldness is not recklessness; it’s conviction. It’s the ability to commit to a vision so strongly that others can’t ignore it.
Say what others won’t – The strongest brands are unafraid to take a stance. Whether it’s Patagonia’s environmental activism or Tesla’s push for electrification, bold leaders don’t sit on the fence.
Ignore the doubters – Industry norms exist because people fear change. If you’re doing something new, expect resistance.
Keep pushing forward – Boldness isn’t a one-time act; it’s a mindset you need to reinforce daily.
Are You Willing to Think Differently?
The reason most businesses never reach the top is because thinking differently is hard. It requires resilience, conviction, and the ability to keep going when things don’t immediately work. But if you want to be number one, you don’t have a choice. You can either think like everyone else—or you can think differently and lead. The choice is yours.
Fancy a go at thinking a little bolder in your business?