The Inherent Dilemma - Exploit Vs Explore

We have finite time and how best we make use of our time is a choice we make multiple times in a day. While we are aware of our strengths, we also notice areas where we feel challenged, that need focus and time to improve upon. In psychology, it’s called the ‘The Missing Tile’ syndrome. The missing tile syndrome is a tendency to focus on things that are missing in our lives, rather than being grateful for the ones we already have.

The question to ask ourselves is, ‘should we strengthen our existing capabilities or explore unfamiliar territories that push our innate boundaries ?’

Here are a couple of instances from the technology world.

For Individual contributors who are passionate about coding and problem solving, their ‘explore’ areas could be networking, communication, documentation or presentation. What they love to do is to write code and experience the joy of seeing their applications work. However, they do see the benefits of networking with peers and leaders, leveraging brown bag sessions to do presentations and knowledge sharing.

For managers and leaders, their ‘exploration’ might involve engaging with larger audiences or maintaining ties to coding and architecture. While their strengths revolve around people leadership, stakeholder management or staying updated with upcoming technologies, they need to strengthen relationships with stakeholders, direct and indirect team members along with keeping deliverables under check. At the same time, they do see benefits in getting deep into the technology domain, getting involved in root cause analysis of production issues, speaking on engineering or management topics and engaging with people in larger forums.

People at every level recognize the advantages of enhancing vocabulary and pronunciation to communicate their message succinctly. Likewise, there are countless avenues and opportunities for personal improvement.

Limited time is a factor to consider, however this dilemma also arises due to the immediate risk to one's credibility when weaknesses and vulnerabilities are exposed while engaging in tasks that are challenging.

Thus, the question persists, ‘should we stick to our strengths or venture into uncomfortable territory?’ ‘Do we start improvements in all the areas that can be improved or do we keep moving ahead, building on what we do best?’

To find an answer, I've pondered this extensively and devised two kinds of questions to ask ourselves before delving into new exploration areas.

1. Does this learning align with my long-term goals? Will it contribute towards achieving my aspirations? For instance, if you’re aiming for the C-suite, then mastering the art of confident influence through articulate language is essential for your journey.

2. Am I genuinely interested in learning this, regardless of its direct relevance to my goals? Can I pursue it simply, for personal fulfilment, even if it doesn't yield immediate benefits but brings me happiness? Am I willing to invest time in it regardless of any visible benefits I might have?

If the answer to both the above sets of questions is ‘No,’ it becomes easier to resist the allure of every shiny opportunity that comes our way and stay focused on the chosen path. Succumbing to the "Shiny Object Syndrome" has hindered the growth of many individuals. It's crucial to recognise it and move past it.

My aim here is to inspire people to progress in life by exploring new avenues with clarity, intent and purpose.