In business and life, history leaves us clues. Case studies, market responses, internal failures, and even our own past decisions are all rich with insight. Yet, time and again, leaders repeat the same missteps. Why? Because ego often shifts our gaze upward, toward grand visions, unchecked ambition, or external validation, while the lessons that could truly guide us sit quietly underfoot.

Strategy Isn’t About Reinventing Everything

Many businesses fall into the trap of chasing “the next big thing” without deeply understanding why past strategies did or didn’t work. There’s a difference between innovation and distraction. A clear-headed review of historical data, customer feedback, and competitor behavior often reveals patterns that can inform smarter decisions.

But when ego enters the room, reflection gets replaced with reaction. Leaders may ignore what the company has already learned in favor of a shinier idea, often at great cost.

The Danger of the ‘I Know Better’ Mindset

I’ve seen leaders push forward with plans that looked impressive on paper, even when the data showed they probably wouldn’t work. Why? Admitting past mistakes or lessons would mean letting go of control or accepting that they don’t always have the right answers.

EGO says: “That won’t happen to me.”

WISDOM says: “Let me understand why it happened before.”

Personal Growth: From Sky-Gazing to Grounded Progress

This isn’t just a corporate problem. On a personal level, we often look up toward lofty titles, ideal outcomes, or imagined futures, forgetting to examine the roots of our decisions. Growth comes from grounded self-awareness: the willingness to reflect, learn, and adjust.

I’ve found the most transformative leaders are those who are humble enough to learn from the past, brave enough to acknowledge missteps, and wise enough to keep ego in check.

The Path Is Already Marked

The irony is: the path to growth and success is rarely invisible. History shows the way. But we must be willing to look down, not to lower ourselves, but to notice the footprints that were left for us.

Before you draft that new business strategy, launch that next product, or chase that big role, 

PAUSE.

Ask:

• What have we already learned?

• What mistakes are we about to repeat?

• What is ego trying to distract me from?

Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t found in the clouds. It’s found in the dust of the past.