Time to Experiment
'2021' by Steve Mostyn

Time to Experiment


The start of the year is often a time for personal goal setting. There is good evidence that deliberate goal setting works, particularly if written and shared with trusted friends or colleagues. I am however keen to make the case for personal ‘experiments’ and avoid the sunk cost fallacy blind spot we all have. I think personal experiments are a more exploratory way to welcome in 2021 and yet make progress on your personal development.


In my role as Head Tutor on The Oxford Executive Leadership and Strategy Programme the focus is on incremental development with tutor support and the open nudge and invitation to ‘experiment’ with your leadership and strategy practice.

For example, if you are a manager who avoids delegation the potential experiment is to delegate on just one project over a relatively short period of a few weeks. The key to success is quickly review your learning with questions in your journal such as:

How did it feel? What feedback from the team did you receive?  What was the result of the project without my daily involvement?

This process is made even stronger if you can share this reflection with a small group of trusted supporters-who can support and challenge in equal measure.

Re-reading Stefan Thomke’s excellent book ‘Experimentation Matters’ Stefan makes the case for firm wide experimentation, it struck me that there is a micro application to this approach of making experiments matter.

Personal development is hard work because it means we have to change and most of us are deeply resistant to change. Marshall Goldsmith reminds us in his book in which the title is the insight : What got you here won’t get you there!

You never know where your experiments may take you. My early career experiments to volunteer for any facilitation work going ( Motorola in the late 1990’s)  has directly led to my current work and vocation today.

Experiments also offer you flexibility.

Stefan Thomke helpfully comments ‘an experiment needs to be reversible; otherwise, it’s a commitment’  

My 2021 experiments are in the following areas: Governance in the UK Further Education sector, pushing the boundaries of online executive learning and thirdly utilising my Oxford and Scottish networks to support the Glasgow COP26 summit in some way. Let’s see if any of these emerge.

What are your experiments for 2021?

Clive McDonnell

Equities | Strategy | Communication | Change Management

4 年

Thanks for the insights Steve. Herminia Ibarra's book Working Identity also highlights value of "small experiments" to test a career change, product launch or simply an idea.

Stephanie S.

Governance Expert

4 年

From little acorns big oaks grow. You gave us the seeds Steve and its up to us to grow the oaks and have hearts of oak too

Arash Zad

Operations Improvement ? Business Transformation ? Team Building ? Executive Leadership

4 年

Such a great point of view, this is like challenging myself in a more constructive way. I want to experiment always reflecting on my intention before I start a difficult conversation and creating practical content for leaders & executives based on what I learned and studied in the last 4-5 years.

Louise Watts

Associate Fellow, Sa?d Business School, Oxford University, Programme Director, Tutor, Leadership Coach. Leadership Development/Reflective Practice/ Executive Education.

4 年

What a great way to start thinking about 2021. I’m going to experiment with developing wider networks to support Public Value work, extending my work in reflective practice, new approaches to supporting leadership in the FE system, and the creation of narratives in personal and professional capacities.

Emanuel C Perlman

Global Peacebuilder, Lyric Tenor, Composer, Lecturer, Recording Artist, Psychiatric Social Worker, and Cleric.

4 年

Thank you #SteveMostyn for reengaging your followers including those of us who were the fortunate recipients of your weekly wisdom and evocative questions during the Oxford Executive Leadership Course. I am continuing to quench my insatiable thirst for knowledge and relentless pursuit of global peace initiatives. Best wishes to you and your loved ones for the New Year!

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