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| Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash |
“We’ve always done it this way.”
But in reality, it’s a barrier—one that stops innovation, blocks improvement, and slowly drains the momentum from any team or organization.
Tradition has value. It connects people to meaning and purpose. But tradition cannot be a strategy, and it cannot be a substitute for growth.
If we want to move forward, we must be willing to challenge the habits that keep us standing still.
Tradition Isn’t a Strategy
Many systems—schools, teams, offices, and even families—fall into routines that become sacred simply because they’re old.
But age doesn’t equal effectiveness.
If the only reason something continues to exist is that,
“that’s how we’ve always done it,”
then it’s overdue for evaluation. Leaders must regularly ask:
• Does this still serve our mission?
• Is this still the best way?
• Is this helping the people we lead?
If the answer is no, it’s time to rethink the process.
Improvement Requires Discomfort
Growth never happens inside a comfort zone.
Improvement demands:
• Honest reflection
• Willingness to experiment
• Openness to critique
• Courage to change what no longer works
Stagnation feels safe, but it slowly erodes performance and morale. Discomfort isn’t a threat—it’s evidence that progress is happening.
Challenge Stagnant Habits
Every organization has routines that were created for a moment that no longer exists. Leaders must be willing to challenge these “automatic behaviors” that continue simply because no one has questioned them.
Ask yourself and your team:
• What habits no longer fit our needs?
• What systems create more work than value?
• What routines keep us from being our best?
Challenging a habit isn’t disrespecting the past—it’s preparing for the future.
Innovate With Purpose
Innovation doesn’t mean chasing every new idea. It means improving with intention.
Purposeful innovation is:
• Aligned to mission
• Backed by evidence or experience
• Practiced consistently
• Evaluated honestly
The goal isn’t change for the sake of change—it’s change that strengthens performance and clarity.
Change What Needs Changing
Not everything needs an overhaul. But some things absolutely do.
Leadership requires the wisdom to know the difference.
When something is slowing you down, confusing your team, or limiting your effectiveness, it’s time to adjust. The best leaders stay alert to areas where small, focused changes can create large improvements.
“Improving Your Fighting Position” — The Army Mindset
This is one of the things the Army got right.
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| Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash |
It’s a discipline, not a suggestion.
Your “fighting position” might be:
• Your office
• Your routines
• Your communication system
• Your team processes
• Your daily workflow
Maybe it starts as a sticky note.
Then it becomes a whiteboard.
Then a printed sheet.
Then a full Standing Operating Procedure (SOP).
The principle stays the same:
Whatever position you’re in—leave it better than you found it.
Continuous improvement is not optional. It’s a professional obligation.
Final Thought
“We’ve always done it this way” is a mindset that holds teams back. Leaders who challenge it create organizations that grow, adapt, and thrive.
Tradition has its place.
But improvement is the mission.
Keep refining.
Keep evaluating.
Keep improving your fighting position.
Teach it.
Coach it.
Lead.
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| www.johnvandusen.com |
Sources & Credits
For insights on organizational habits, culture, and improvement cycles, see James C. Collins’ exploration of disciplined innovation in Good to Great (HarperBusiness, 2001). For foundational military perspectives on continuous improvement, see principles of small-unit tactics outlined in U.S. Army leadership doctrine.
This post was drafted with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and edited by Mr. VanDusen.
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