Past performance is no guarantee for future success

How long can we rely on our past experience?

I may have worked with the best company in the past. I may have managed large and complex projects in the past. I may have done significant process improvements in the past. But does that guarantee success in current role/organization/environment?

We change jobs. We change roles within a job. Business environment changes. Organizations change. In a rapid changing scenario – to what extent does past experience guarantee success?

Management as a profession is so much situational and contextual that one’s past performance is no guarantee for future success. I am reminded of note at the end of mutual fund prospectus that reads “Past performance is no guarantee for future returns”. I realize this more and more when I see super-experienced people falter.

A few years ago, I met a very senior professional who joined our organization. He had more than 15 years of experience managing large and complex assignments at one of the large IT houses. In one of the initial interactions, this is what he said to me, “You know, I have managed multi-year, high-value projects with a team size of more than 400 people. But in this new job role, my success really depends on what I do here and now – based on a changed context and situation. That is what will matter. My experience may help, but it can certainly not guide my basic thinking process in a new context.”

He gave an apt answer to my question. Experience is a great enabler – but changing contexts demand fresh thinking without which one stagnates.

Learning, unlearning and re-learning is a constant process.

Do you agree? Your comments are welcome to take this conversation forward.