Why Outdated Thinking Hinders Future Growth

One of the biggest lessons I have learned over the years is that you can't build the future on outdated thinking, not in technology, business, or life. I've seen too many brilliant companies (often traditional ones) fall behind because they clung to "what's always worked." But the truth? What worked yesterday won't necessarily work tomorrow, and in today's AI-fueled, digital-first world, that mindset is a fast track to irrelevance.

The biggest barrier to innovation isn't technology; who else agrees that it's human resistance to change? The future will always be about evolution. And the brands that survive and thrive are those that are willing to think differently, act boldly, and rewrite their playbooks.

Traditional Brands Are Thinking Like Tech Companies

Traditional brands, some of which have been around for decades, are merging their mindsets with those of tech companies. They're evolving, and not just by adopting technology, but by thinking like technologists: agile, curious, experimental.

Here are five brands that prove reinvention is possible and it's powerful when driven by mindset shifts:

Nike – From Sneakers to a Digital Lifestyle Brand

One of my favorite clothing sports brands since I was a teenager, Nike, is helping define the digital wave. Through its Nike Training Club apps, partnerships with Apple for nearly two decades, and the launch of its .SWOOSH platform, Nike evolved from a sneaker company into a tech-infused lifestyle ecosystem.

It realized that the future of fitness is a blend of both physical and digital. And rather than fight that evolution, Nike embraced it. That mindset shift from selling products to delivering personalized digital experiences keeps the brand relevant.

Walmart – Tech at the Heart of Retail

Who would've thought a legacy retailer like Walmart would become one of the most digitally advanced retail brands in the world? From autonomous delivery partnerships with Cruise to deploying AI and machine learning in their supply chain, Walmart is becoming or has become a tech company that sells groceries.

By investing in cloud infrastructure, robotics, and customer data platforms, Walmart reimagined the entire retail experience.

Disney – Creating Magic With Data and Innovation

Disney is one of my favorite examples of blending imagination with innovation. Not only because I love getting lost in the magic of Disney, but because behind the scenes, this storytelling giant is also a tech powerhouse. With the launch of Disney+, the acquisition of BAMTech a few years ago (a streaming tech platform), and the rollout of AI-powered recommendation engines, Disney is thinking more like Netflix than a traditional film studio.

Their embrace of data analytics and immersive tech has redefined how they connect with their audiences. Disney has become great at tailoring experiences.

Volvo – A Car Manufacturer Turning Into a Mobility Tech Brand

Volvo's decision to invest heavily in software-defined vehicles marks a bold departure from legacy thinking. The brand is aligning its future with sustainability, automation, and connected mobility.

By 2030, Volvo aimed to be fully electric, but it realized the market was not yet ready, so it entered a hybrid mode. And although it will always remain one of the classic car brands, it's already operating with the mindset of a mobility tech company, not a traditional carmaker.

L'Oréal – Beauty Meets AI and Augmented Reality

Yes, even the beauty industry is being rewritten by technology. L'Oréal, through acquisitions like ModiFace and partnerships with Meta and Google, has transformed the way consumers experience beauty virtually. Virtual try-ons, AI-driven skincare analysis, and voice-activated beauty assistants are part of L'Oréal's digital DNA.

What changed? Their thinking. L'Oréal realized that to stay on top, it had to think like a tech brand with a beauty soul. Is it working? Yes

Outdated Thinking Is the Real Disruption

The biggest disruptor in any industry is not AI, blockchain, or quantum computing; it is the combination of these technologies. It's the resistance to a human-centric mindset shift.

We've all heard leaders say, "This is how we've always done it." But in a world where algorithms learn faster than we do, and digital natives expect hyper-personalization, that kind of thinking doesn't hold weight anymore.

Innovation is a mindset. One that requires curiosity over comfort, action over assumption, and collaboration over control.

My Personal View. It's Time to Unlearn and Relearn

I've worked behind the scenes with Fortune 500 leaders, interviewed trailblazing executives through "Conversations with Elise Quevedo," and stood on stages across the globe. And what I see is that the ones who evolve are the ones who are open to unlearning.

Let's be honest. Outdated thinking is easy, safe, and predictable. It is easy to remain in a comfort zone and not try anything new, especially as we get older. But not everything in this life is meant to be comfortable; it's meant to challenge us and help us grow.

So, whether you're a founder, marketer, CTO, or content creator, start asking yourself, What am I holding onto that no longer serves me? I ask this question to myself every week.

My Call to Action to You. Be the Brand That Evolves

Don't wait until disruption forces your hand. Be the disruptor of your own outdated playbook.

Ask yourself and your team:

• Are we thinking like a tech company, no matter what we sell?

• Are we placing innovation at the heart of every decision?

• Are we still trying to solve tomorrow's problems with yesterday's tools?

If not, it's time to evolve.

Every day, I see individuals and companies that are brave enough to change the way they think because it's necessary. To all the dreamers, builders, and storytellers out there, remember this:

You don't need to be perfect to evolve. You just need to be willing. Because you can't build a future on outdated thinking, but you can build it on courage, curiosity, and the commitment to do things differently.