Let’s See What Happens: The Power of Experimentation in Your Career

When Was the Last Time You Really Tried Something New?

When was the last time you did something completely new without a review, recommendation, or even a photo to tell you what to expect? The last time you just jumped in, guided by pure curiosity and that feeling of “let’s see what happens”?

These days, everything is pre-planned. We check reviews before we book a restaurant, watch trailers before a movie, read recaps before starting a series, and scroll endlessly for social media posts before meeting someone. We’ve all become ‘planners’ of our own experiences, looking for guarantees, comfort, and certainty. And that’s not just in our personal lives. It’s the same in our work life too.

Creatures of certainty. We want instant gratification and guaranteed success. There’s no time for a poor experience! Everything we do, consume, and engage with comes with a pre-packaged review, a detailed recommendation, and a list of dos and don’ts. We don’t have time to risk failure or wander in the dark, right? Our patience has shrunk, and the desire for control has ballooned. So whether it's choosing a place for coffee, watching a 20 minute show, or deciding on a vacation spot, we're constantly looking for someone else’s approval to make our choices for us. We have apps, ratings, reviews, and even pre-determined experiences tailored to our tastes. If it doesn’t come with a promise of satisfaction, we move on. And also leave a bad review.

Surely we are getting it right more often but we’re also closing ourselves off from the joy of discovery. The thrill of spontaneity. The lessons from the unexpected. It’s almost as if we’ve forgotten what it’s like to simply explore, unburdened by the need for validation or outcome.

Surprises in the Air

Recently, we went on a family holiday to a new country, and by sheer lack of time and energy to plan it meticulously, we decided to leave it in the hands of the local driver entrusted with our daily expeditions. (The driver did come highly recommended though!)

While we were at the beach, we saw some para-gliders soaring over the cliff nearby, and thought, "Why not try this?" There were no reviews, no Instagram photos to convince us, and no online articles about this activity. We just decided to show up.

A little nerve-wracking? Yes. After all, it was an unfamiliar activity with some inherent risks. But in that uncertainty was something liberating. The experience itself, the moments of quiet and excitement as we soared over the beach, was nothing short of magical. While in the air, I asked my guide how long he has been doing this… 19 years came the reassuring reply. It was a bit too late for a different response anyway!

So just a handful of locals and a sense of adventure gave the four of us an experience of a lifetime. And GoPro videos to relive the memories with!

Did it have risks? Yes, of course! I mean, I was essentially trusting a stranger with my life and more importantly, the lives of two young ones, hopping into a harness and preparing to be lifted off the edge of a cliff. But there was something intoxicating about that uncertainty. After a short briefing, we were soaring, high above the waves, catching the wind, and experiencing the world from a perspective I’d never imagined. It wasn’t just the thrill of the activity, it was the spontaneity, the surprise, the surrender to the unknown that made it unforgettable.

Even our local driver, who had been doing his rounds for years, was surprised. He was genuinely happy to add this new experience to his bucket of things to offer tourists. And for me, it wasn’t just about the flight (though I prefer air to water!). It was the joy of trying something unexpected, of having an adventure unfold without the constraints of knowing exactly what would happen.

And it got me thinking: how often do we allow ourselves to experience something completely unfamiliar? In a world that thrives on recommendations, reviews, and endless scrolling, when was the last time we said, ‘I’m going to try something without any pre-conceived notions’?

How Familiarity Can Limit Us

Take books and OTT content, for example. How many times have you hovered over the 'play' button, surfing through endless titles, only to land on something that feels comforting? You read the synopsis, you recognise the actors, maybe it’s a thriller because you’ve enjoyed those in the past, or you’re drawn to the cover photo because it feels familiar. We’re constantly looking for something safe, something that won’t let us down. We wait for a recommendation, we check online ratings, we look for that reassurance. And I get it! We want an experience that’s worth our time. But isn’t there a slight risk in that? A little bit of a missed opportunity?

In work, as well as life, we do the same thing. We surround ourselves with familiar people, familiar tasks, familiar ways of working. But the real gold often lies outside that comfortable zone. Could we gain something by stepping into the unknown, whether it's by trying new techniques, meeting someone with a different viewpoint, or taking on a project that initially seems too risky?

What Could We Gain from Allowing for Serendipity?

By allowing ourselves to embrace a little uncertainty, a little surprise, we can open doors to unexpected growth. It’s like exploring a new path that could lead to uncharted territory. Where the thrill wasn’t just in the act itself, but in the freedom of giving up control, I wonder how many opportunities we’re missing by sticking to what we know.

Could we bring that sense of adventure into the work we do? Could we allow for more spontaneity in meetings, in decision-making, or in our professional development? Yes, it goes against the very purpose of some roles - create processes and rules and How-tos. Yet, isn’t there some room for the new?

The Beauty of Uncertainty in Careers

What happens if we apply this ‘discovery mindset’ to our careers? What if we allowed a little uncertainty, a little risk, into our professional lives? After all, some of the best moments in both personal and professional growth come when we take the leap into the unknown.

In the workplace, many of us follow a set path, a series of well-defined steps: work hard, get promoted, work harder, climb the ladder. But what about when we decide to veer off the path and try something different? What happens when we experiment, fail, and learn from the process? It’s like the joy we feel when we stumble upon an unexpected treasure. The magic lies in discovery, not in following the same old routine.

The Power of Serendipity at Work

Some of the best career moments come from serendipity, when things unexpectedly fall into place. How often do we hear about successful startups being born from two people meeting by chance, or a career pivot happening because someone took a risk on a job they didn’t feel completely ready for?

One famous example of serendipity in action is how Airbnb came to be. The company started when its founders, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, couldn’t afford rent. So, they turned their apartment into a temporary lodging space for conference attendees. From a simple idea driven by necessity came a global business model.

In your own work, it might be as simple as connecting with someone outside your immediate team, or saying “yes” to a project that’s slightly outside your comfort zone. These small acts of discovery and risk-taking often lead to the most surprising and transformative experiences.

The truth is, some of the most groundbreaking ideas and innovations have come from a moment of unanticipated brilliance- when someone spoke up with an idea they didn’t fully understand themselves, or when an impromptu brainstorming session led to a creative breakthrough that no one saw coming.

Imagine, just for a moment, allowing yourself the freedom to step into a meeting with the mindset of "let's see what happens." What would change if, instead of having everything mapped out, we opened the door to new perspectives? What if you allowed yourself to be more present in the moment, listening more actively to the conversations, and letting your team drive the direction without needing to steer it from the get-go?

Here are some practical ways to bring that sense of adventure and spontaneity into our professional lives:

• Embrace the Unexpected in Meetings: Instead of having everything pre-planned and rigidly structured, allow for the space where unplanned ideas can emerge. Let the discussion flow, even if it strays from the agenda. Some of the best innovations come from spontaneous conversations.

• Decision-making with Flexibility: We often feel the need to make decisions based on a well-constructed analysis, data, and projections. But what if we allowed room for gut instinct, creativity, and the unexpected factors that can't always be quantified? Let’s not always wait for all the pieces to fall into place before taking action. Sometimes the most rewarding risks are those where we decide to leap without all the guarantees.

• Professional Development without a Map: We tend to follow prescribed paths in our careers. First, this certification, then that promotion, and finally that corner office. But what if we gave ourselves permission to take unplanned detours in our development? Pick up a new skill outside your core job function, attend a workshop that doesn’t align with your current role, or even take on a side project that’s totally unrelated to your day-to-day tasks. You might discover something that transforms the way you approach your work or helps you build connections in unexpected ways.

• Fostering a Culture of Curiosity: Encourage a work environment where exploration and curiosity are celebrated. Make room for experimentation, even when you don't have a clear outcome in mind. Let your team know that it’s okay to try something new, even if it fails. This mindset can lead to greater creativity, innovation, and personal growth.

• Learning from Serendipity: You may be surprised at how often great connections are made when you leave the well-trodden path and venture off-course. Attend a conference on a topic unrelated to your work, strike up a conversation with a colleague from a different department, or join a hobby club outside of work. By stepping outside the professional bubble, you might discover new skills, ideas, or perspectives that will enrich your work in ways you didn’t anticipate.

Incorporating this sense of spontaneity and adventure into our work doesn't mean abandoning structure or efficiency. It means balancing the routine with the willingness to embrace the unknown. It means not being afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and take the kind of professional risks that lead to growth, both personally and collectively. It’s about fostering an environment where calculated risk and thoughtful exploration can thrive.

We don’t always need to know the outcome. The joy is in the discovery.

So, next time you're in a meeting or planning your next career move, ask yourself: What if I let go of the certainty and embraced the unknown? What might I discover?

Want to explore a braver mindset in your own career? Let’s have a conversation—book a clarity session today.