CEOs face this choice all the time. Should they confront their shortcomings or should they create a world where they have none? Lee Iacocca chose the latter. He surrounded himself with worshipers, exiled the critics-and quickly lost touch with where his field was going. Lee Iacocca had become a nonlearner.
In the book "Mindset: How You Can Fulfil Your Potential," author Carol S. Dweck discusses a common dilemma faced by CEOs regarding their approach to personal and professional growth. They must decide whether to acknowledge their weaknesses and work to improve them or to cultivate an environment that avoids facing criticism. Dweck illustrates this through the example of Lee Iacocca, who opted for the latter approach.
Iacocca surrounded himself with supporters and eliminated dissenting voices, which ultimately led to a disconnect from the evolving landscape of his industry. His decision to shield himself from criticism resulted in stagnation, highlighting the risk of adopting a nonlearning mindset. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of embracing challenges and feedback for continual growth.
