What is the one habit that keeps leaders stuck?

What made me think about that is that I recently received the TEC Rookie of the Year award. I am honored, of course, but I have to admit, it made me smile a little. After 19 years of speaking, I received a rookie award because I am new to TEC. At first, I thought that was funny. But then I realized that is exactly the point.

Watch the video or continue reading to find out more.

From a neuroscience perspective, being new is one of the most powerful positions you can put yourself in. Your brain is designed to be efficient, and it loves what is familiar. It builds neural pathways based on what we already know, and then it runs on autopilot. That is great for speed, but not always great for growth.

The moment you step into something new, something where you are not the expert, something where you might not have all the answers, your brain has to wake up. You activate new neural pathways. You increase neuroplasticity. You pay more attention. You listen differently. You learn faster.

But here is the challenge. Being new can feel uncomfortable. The brain does not always like uncertainty. It can trigger self-doubt, hesitation, and even imposter syndrome.

So what do most of us do? That is the one habit that keeps leaders stuck. We stay where we are experienced, where we feel confident, where we already know the answers. We do the same things over and over again. But that is also where growth slows down.

What I love about this award is not the word “rookie.” It is the reminder. The reminder that growth starts the moment you allow yourself to be new again, to be curious, to be challenged, and to not have it all figured out.

Working with TEC has done exactly that for me. It has pushed me to go deeper, to be more practical, and to connect my work more directly to real-world leadership challenges, especially in smaller group settings. I am incredibly grateful for that.

So maybe the question is not, “Where are you the expert?” Maybe the better question is, “Where are you willing to be the rookie again?” Because that is where your brain grows, and that is where your next level begins.

Thank you to TEC for this award. Here is a video they shared to announce it, where I had the opportunity to answer a few questions about the TEC community and how being new in that environment helped me grow.

TEC members do not just listen. They test you. They are highly successful leaders who constantly ask, “How does this apply in my world right now?” You have to be practical, real, and ready to go deeper. It raises your level in the best possible way.

Speaking with TEC leaders is different. It is not a room of 1,200 people listening quietly. It is 12 to 20 highly successful leaders who challenge you and engage with you directly.

One member once asked me, “This all sounds great, but what do I do on Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. when my team pushes back?” I paused for a moment, and it reminded me that insight is not enough. People want implementation. Since then, I have made sure that my work always translates into clear, actionable steps, including what to do on Monday morning.

TEC has also challenged me to think differently about my own expertise. One member asked me, “What is the financial impact of mindset and confidence?” Since what I teach is not considered a traditional hard skill, that question pushed me to quantify my work in terms of productivity, decision-making, and financial results. It made my work stronger, more measurable, and more relevant for leaders.

I would describe TEC as a community of high-level leaders who are serious about growth, while also being incredibly open and willing to learn. What surprised me the most is how real the conversations are. There is no ego in the room, just people who want to get better and help each other do the same.

I am incredibly honored to receive the Rookie of the Year award, even after 19 years on stage. Being new to TEC has been a powerful reminder that growth begins the moment you are willing to be new again.

Speaking on main stages in front of thousands of people and then stepping into a room with 10 to 20 executives was actually a step up for me. Working with TEC leaders has elevated my level as a speaker.

Thank you to the TEC community for this meaningful recognition. I look forward to seeing you and your TEC group again soon.

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