Learning a new industry. Overwhelming?

Disentangling a new industry is not as hard as you think. You can learn it just like a professional dancer, you can learn new moves. You might stumble at first. But you’ll get it in time. And keep in mind, just because a dancer specializes in the tango doesn’t mean that she or he won’t have fun dancing a waltz, rumba, or salsa. The same holds true for those who’ve been dancing in the same industry for years but are afraid to branch out and hit the dance floor with a new groove.

The fear of change is more artificial rather than real. And it’s more internal than external. Before diving into a new industry, you might hesitate, telling yourself: 

·     But I have no idea about the industry.

·     I don’t know what I’m doing.

·     I’m an outsider.

This is the voice of doubt. And it comes from within. But the very things that make you doubt yourself can in many ways be your most valuable assets.

For instance, I was pushed to take an important role in Betting/iGaming, a highly regulated industry, which was completely foreign for me. Initially, I made the mistake of assuming that the ideas shared by the people around me were untouchable since they were coming from seasoned experts. However, I quickly realized that through carefully listening and questioning I could challenge their suppositions and lead them to look at things in a different light. Sure, I did my homework and research. But ultimately, it was my perspective as a newcomer that allowed me to ask good questions, learn the industry piece by piece, and establish myself within the “club.”

Looking back, it’s clear to me that industry outsiders and non-experts can add value quickly by:

1- Driving incremental progress—even if only 10% is changed or improved, that’s ultimately what leads to differentiation

2- Bring leading practices from other industries because it’s cross-pollination that enables evolution

3- Forcing the team to be more accountable and challenging them to focus on outcomes to the business

You may be intimidated at first, but don’t let that hold you back from speaking up and giving your opinion. It might not be in line with what the industry experts think, but that’s precisely the point. You’ve got a perspective that the insiders just don’t have. So don’t be afraid to get out on the floor and show them your moves!