In the latest episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Tyfone, welcomed Emiliano Giacchetti, CEO at ParaScript LLC. The episode centered around the power of curiosity, challenging assumptions, and how breaking habits can unlock growth for individuals and organizations.
Emiliano shared how he built a practice of seeking discomfort in order to learn and evolve. He discussed the value of exposing yourself to new ideas, even in small ways, to keep your mind agile. Emiliano explained why organizations benefit when people ask naïve questions and challenge the status quo, drawing on stories from his own career that spanned multiple industries. He and Josh explored how collaboration between experts and outsiders can help teams see old problems in new ways, and why a willingness to make mistakes is key to finding better solutions.
Throughout their conversation, Emiliano tied these themes back to banking and leadership. He encouraged listeners to examine long-held beliefs, welcome diverse viewpoints, and treat every challenge as an opportunity for learning. The episode offered practical ways to foster resilience, embrace change, and keep curiosity at the core of innovation.

⚡ Break Habits to Build a Sharper Mind

Routine is comfortable, but it can dull your curiosity and limit your growth. Intentionally breaking habits—both big and small—can rewire your thinking and keep you open to new ideas. Simple changes, like rearranging your workspace or swapping out a tool you use every day, disrupt mental autopilot and force your brain to adapt. This approach helps you avoid falling into ruts and keeps your mind flexible. By making a habit of seeking discomfort, you train yourself to handle bigger changes and more complex problems. In a fast-moving world, this kind of mental agility helps you spot opportunities and develop creative solutions. The key is to shake things up regularly, even if it feels awkward at first. Growth often starts with a little discomfort.

⚡ Challenge Assumptions to Spark Real Innovation

Many organizations get stuck repeating the same actions simply because “that’s how we’ve always done it.” This mindset makes it easy to miss better solutions and stifles progress. Real innovation begins when you question the status quo and ask the obvious or naïve questions others overlook. Sometimes, rules and procedures aren’t as rigid as they seem—often, they’re habits passed down without re-examination. By challenging assumptions and looking at problems from a fresh angle, teams can uncover hidden opportunities and avoid unnecessary limitations. This approach isn’t just for leaders; anyone can drive change by being curious and asking the right questions. When you stop treating old processes as sacred, you open the door to smarter, more effective ways to work.

⚡ Discomfort Drives Growth—If You Let It

Growth, whether personal or organizational, rarely happens in comfort zones. Facing discomfort—whether it’s a tough project, a new skill, or a hard conversation—is essential for progress. The trick is to reframe setbacks and challenges as opportunities to learn, not reasons to retreat. By adopting a mindset that asks, “What’s the worst that can happen?” and treating mistakes as stepping stones, you build resilience and confidence over time. This approach helps you and your team push through resistance, try new things, and bounce back from failure. The more you practice stepping outside your comfort zone, the easier it gets to tackle bigger risks and adapt to change. Embracing discomfort isn’t just about grit—it’s about unlocking the next level of performance and innovation.