When I was a child, my family and I spent a lot of time at a family cottage during the summers. We are a large family so when we got together, there was a lot of food. At that time, everyone believed that the kids couldn’t go for a swim until 30 minutes after eating. As an obedient child, I waited and didn’t go in the water even though I was never really sure why I was waiting or what terrible things could happen to me if I swam. Now as an adult, I know that waiting 30 minutes to swim after eating is a myth and I wouldn’t have sunk to the bottom of the lake if I had dared enter.

Holding onto an outdated idea we believe to be true, and acting on it, happens with all of us, all of the time. We do this even if the belief we hold doesn’t serve us. We often do not even notice that we are acting on a belief that doesn’t serve us. However, these beliefs are there, hiding in plain sight.

Our workplaces are changing so rapidly today that some of the beliefs that were commonplace in the past are being re-evaluated. Below are some commonly held beliefs that are ready for an overhaul.

This really matters because these beliefs drive our behaviours. For example, if I believe that I’ve got all of the answers, I may not be listening to the ideas my team has to offer.

In our next blog, we’ll explore a few ways in which you can pull your hidden beliefs to the surface. Until then, know that if you aren’t on the lookout for those hidden beliefs that no longer serve you, you may be sitting on the shore while everyone else is having fun swimming in the lake!