Better Soundtrack to Learning: Rediscovering the Value of Legacy, Risk, and Authenticity

By Marianne Mills

In training and leadership development, we often encourage people to “bring their whole self” to work. But what does that look like in practice, especially when so much of what shaped us feels rooted in the past?

This week, I’ve been reflecting on the surprising power of returning to our creative roots. Whether it’s an old notebook, a nearly forgotten business idea, or even the early attempts at writing that now feel “overblown and pretentious,” they hold lessons not just about who we were, but about how we’ve grown.

Here are a few ideas I’ve been sitting with:

🎸 Legacy Is a Living Thing. When we revisit past work, we do more than reminisce—we reinterpret it with new skills, perspectives, and emotions. In a world obsessed with innovation, it’s easy to overlook the wisdom of our own experience. But often, the old ideas weren’t wrong—they just needed time to evolve.

💥 Creativity Needs Risk There was something magical about working with tools that could break or go wrong at any second—whether it was a reel-to-reel tape or the first nerve-wracking time leading a team. That risk forced us to be present, alert, and humble. Maybe we need more “fragile tech” in our training spaces where failure isn’t just accepted but expected.

🔦 Real People Seek Real Connection. Algorithms offer suggestions. But people who love music—and learning—don’t just want the obvious. They want to dig deeper, challenge their assumptions, and discover things off the beaten track. That’s true in development too. Real growth doesn’t come from surface-level tips but from deep, sometimes uncomfortable, exploration.

💬 Permission to Be Cringe. One of my favourite takeaways? It’s okay to look back at early work and cringe. It means you’ve grown. If we expect people to show up “fully formed,” we rob them of the learning curve that builds character and capability. Give yourself—and others—permission to be rough drafts in progress.

👥 What This Means for Leaders and Trainers As we develop people, especially young professionals, we have a responsibility to create environments where:

• Expression is encouraged before perfection is expected.

• Legacy is valued, not hidden.

• Diverse experiences, even those that are obscure or niche, are viewed as strengths.

• Honest feedback and messy learning are part of the norm.

So maybe it’s time to revisit that half-formed idea from years ago. Dust off the notebook. Hit play on your growth mixtape. You might be surprised what you find—and what it can teach the people you’re leading today.

💡 Let’s Talk: What old “creative scraps” have helped you reconnect with your purpose or values as a leader or trainer? I’d love to hear your stories.

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