I have been running my own businesses for more than two decades. They have ranged from a culture consultancy to a software as a service platform and a business that helps small companies secure government grants. On the surface they seem unrelated. In practice they are all different expressions of one purpose: helping organisations grow. The common denominator is my ability to see complex situations in pictures, simplify them into step by step pathways and then guide people from where they are to where they want to be. That strategic lens is the thread that connects every pivot I have made.

My neurodivergent brain has always approached problems differently. As the mother of a neurodiverse child I also understand how many of our systems and models are not designed for people who think this way. Long before artificial intelligence or any other trend demanded that we adapt, I was looking for ways to break free from rigid structures and create my own models. Each pivot came from a recognition that the world is changing faster than the systems that serve it. Adaptation is not a nice to have. It is a survival skill.

Science helps explain why a commitment to learning is at the heart of that skill. Neuroscience shows that our brains are not fixed containers of knowledge; they are living systems that can rewire themselves. From birth, our brains are designed to learn. This ability, called neuroplasticity, allows the brain to reshape itself based on what we focus on and practise. When we learn something new, our brains form or strengthen synapses, which are the connections between neurons. Repeating that practice makes these pathways more efficient. In other words, learning literally changes who we are.

Psychologist Carol Dweck’s concept of a growth mindset builds on this idea. A fixed mindset assumes our abilities are limited. A growth mindset recognises that effort, challenge and learning shape who we become. People with a growth mindset take on difficult tasks, view effort as a sign of learning and treat setbacks as opportunities to improve. Research shows that when we see our talents like muscles, something that can be strengthened, we are more willing to try, to fail and to try again. This attitude leads to innovation and resilience. Leaders who adopt it give more feedback, coach and mentor more effectively and notice changes in performance more quickly.

Another piece of the puzzle is cognitive flexibility. A recent study by the University of Liège found that habitual entrepreneurs, people who repeatedly launch new ventures, demonstrate greater cognitive flexibility and even differences in brain structure compared to managers. Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adapt and shift from one strategy to another. It is crucial for entrepreneurial success because it helps people identify and exploit new opportunities. The researchers also note that educational programmes and organisational practices can cultivate this characteristic. In other words, adaptability is not just an innate trait; it is a learnable skill.

These findings echo my lived experience. Each time I pivoted, whether it was from consulting to software or from software to funding advisory, the real driver was a love of learning. I am constantly curious about new fields. I invest time in understanding them, distilling their complexity and integrating them into my strategic toolkit. I also accept that growth requires structure and discipline. It takes deliberate practice to build new skills, rigorous reflection to learn from failures and courage to keep going when the path is unclear. As Brené Brown reminds us, we must be brave enough to fail forward.

The secret to pivoting, then, is not a formula or a trend. It is a mindset. It is the decision to become a lifelong learner, to view challenges as invitations, and to cultivate the cognitive flexibility that allows you to change course when needed. This applies to organisations as much as individuals. Companies that nurture a culture of learning are better able to reposition themselves for an uncertain future. Leaders who love learning not only sharpen their own skills but also enhance their interpersonal skills, enabling them to guide others through transformation.

If you are contemplating your next pivot, start by investing in your learning. Embrace neuroplasticity, adopt a growth mindset and practise cognitive flexibility. These are the foundations of freedom and growth, and they are yours to build.