The Innovator's Dilemma for Your Personal Life

Why Your Past Success Could Be Your Future's Greatest Enemy

When Clayton Christensen introduced the concept of the innovator's dilemma, he focused on why successful companies often fail to adapt to disruptive technologies. The pattern was consistent: established firms would continue doing what made them successful, even as the ground shifted beneath their feet. Kodak perfected film while digital cameras emerged. Blockbuster optimized store operations while Netflix pioneered streaming.

But this phenomenon isn't limited to corporate boardrooms. It's deeply personal, affecting how we navigate our careers, relationships, and personal growth. The same forces that topple industry leaders can derail individual lives: the tendency to cling to past successes rather than adapt to changing realities.

Things get complicated as we are often asked to focus on our strengths and double down on our unique value proposition to advance in the modern workplace. The key is to continue doing that with an open mind, i.e., be open to letting go of things, ideas, and ideals if the context changes. This is easier said than done. Why change anything if it served us well in the past?

This is the personal innovator's dilemma: the skills, habits, and mindsets that brought us success can become the very anchors that hold us back. The straight-A student who can't handle failure becomes the risk-averse professional who misses opportunities. The charismatic networker who built their career on in-person connections struggles in a digital-first world.