To be quite candid, my biggest challenge has always been confidence. I am a full subscriber to the idea of “the more you know, the less you know.” The unique position that I fill in my organization of marketing and technology is one where
advancements come at a blinding pace. So how do you know what strategy, technology, or methodology really is the “best” for the organization? If you wait too long to see what tech “sticks,” you might be too late to the
game, and everyone has springboarded ahead of you! Conversely, if you jump at every new technology and opportunity, it will come at a very high cost and a very unstable platform.
There is always research and analysis that can be done, but at a certain point, you may have to take a leap of faith in your own and your team’s abilities. Having the confidence to try new things, support the ideas, and push through barriers is
always challenging.
I’m not sure I ever really “overcame” this challenge, and I think that is okay. I think having a healthy level of self-awareness and understanding of one’s abilities is a useful tool and a constant area of development. The only
thing that can be done is to learn from previous experiences and to learn how to “fail fast.” There will be missteps, and there will be miscalculations, but understanding how to learn, adapt and overcome them quickly and with a better
set of tools is an invaluable skill set to develop.