Growth Factorials

I was chatting with a friend recently about his son’s studies. He mentioned how, once kids hit 9th grade, parents in India wake up to the harsh reality: the competition for top institutions is fierce, and preparation for the real world begins. To test his son’s readiness, my friend gave him a mock test for an MCQ-style exam. His son completed just 10 out of 30 questions in the allotted time. Surprised, my friend asked his son to try another mock test because the boy was sharp and usually excelled at his studies. The second test yielded 12 out of 30. Still underwhelming.

Curious, he decided to observe his son during his next attempt. What he saw was eye-opening. The boy was trying to tackle each question with multiple methods, carefully working through different approaches before answering. When asked why, his son explained that school had taught him to explore every possible way to solve a problem before settling on one. It was a solid strategy there, but not here. This exam didn’t care about the journey; it rewarded speed and picking the right answer from four options. This was a new game altogether, yet the boy was still playing the old game that allowed him to do well in his school. My friend helped his son change his approach. The results improved immediately.

Does this story sound familiar? In the corporate world, I have seen this play out countless times. We cling to approaches that once worked, strategies, skills, or habits, without noticing the game has shifted. A tactic that won you praise in one company might tank in another. A skill that defined your early success might not matter in a new role. Over my years of navigating life and career, I have learned one truth: recognising the game you are playing is the first step towards success in any new situation.

So, how do you stay ahead when the rules change? Here’s a simple framework:

• Recognize: Notice when your usual approach is not working. Are results slipping? Is feedback pointing elsewhere? These are signs the game has shifted.
• Reflect: Pause and assess. What does this new situation demand? What are the current rules, and which skills or strategies fit? Like the boy, it is about what the new setting rewards, not about perfection as you see it.
• Respond: Adjust your game plan. Be ready to learn, unlearn, and pivot. You don’t need to leave everything you know, you just need to align it with what is needed now and build new skills if required.

This story stuck with me because it is our story too. The corporate world doesn’t stand still, and neither should we. Next time you hit a wall at work, whether it is a stalled project or a sudden shift in priorities, try this: Recognize the change, reflect on what it takes to win, and respond quickly. That is how you don’t just survive but thrive in a game that keeps changing.