In mathematics, when learning about functions, high school math, and calculus, we are introduced to two concepts: local maxima and global maxima.
As can be easily understood from the diagram, a local maximum is “the highest value in its vicinity,” whereas a global maximum is “the highest value among all possible values.” Using the elevation of the Earth’s surface as an example, Mount Halla represents a local maximum, while the global maximum would be the summit of Mount Everest.
Comparing business to the process of climbing a mountain, where the mountain’s height is analogous to success, people are generally interested only in climbing higher. However, I believe it’s crucial to consider the risk that the mountain I am climbing might only be a local maximum, not the global maximum. Put simply, even if I climb my current mountain to its highest point, it might still not be as high as the midpoint of another mountain nearby.
To reduce this risk, I think it’s necessary to broaden one’s view. Instead of believing that the peak visible within my narrow view is everything, it’s important to acknowledge the areas of unknown unknowns (things I don’t know that I don’t know) and sometimes explore unseen paths.
Conducting business solely in Korean could pose the risk of being unable to bring in international team members. Moreover, doing the same work in a different industry or country could yield many times the results with similar efforts, and the reverse is also possible. There might be paths that lead higher than the local maxima I’ve been focusing on, but observing lower areas can also enhance my appreciation for my current situation.
In the early stages of my business, instead of rushing to climb quickly, I consciously focused on expanding my view to find the global maximum. Sometimes, I ventured on paths others advised against, experiencing trial and error and creating entirely new methods.
However, generally, the people around me tend to focus only on the height I’ve reached rather than the expanded view. Sometimes, I too feel regret and disappointment for not having climbed faster. Expanding one’s view is as time and energy-consuming as climbing a mountain. Moreover, following my principle that there are no right answers in business, for some, expanding their view might be too painful, risky, and reaching their local maximum within what they know might be the happier path.
Having sufficiently expanded my view in my 20s, I vow to focus on climbing quickly in my 30s, hence I leave this post.
