“We’ve always done it that way!”
Last week was one of those weeks that reminded me why I love what we do.
Our Fulling Management & Accounting team spent three days together—talking, laughing, dreaming, challenging each other, and getting really clear about where we want to go over the next three years.
As I sat and listened to our team talk about our clients, our future, and what’s possible, I found myself getting excited about what’s ahead.
We talked a lot about vision and turned that vision into SMART Goals. But I also left the week thinking about something else:
How do we make sure the way we’ve always done things doesn’t keep us from becoming what we’re capable of becoming?
One of the dangers of being in business over 26 years is getting stuck in the tried and true instead of investigating the innovative and new. The art of consistency can easily turn into complacency if we are not careful.
Experience is valuable. Consistency is valuable. But sometimes we become so familiar with how we do something that we stop asking whether it’s still the best way.
That’s why I want us to become “What If?” leaders.
Instead of only asking, “How can we improve this process?” ask:
“If we were starting from scratch today, would we even do it this way?”
What if we eliminated it?
What if we automated it?
What if we simplified it?
What if we looked at it through our client’s eyes?
What if there was a better way to bring clarity?
Sometimes the answer will be, “Yes. This is still the best way.” Great. Now we know we’re doing it because it’s the best way—not simply because it’s the way we’ve always done it.
Our three-year vision gives us a destination. Our SMART Goals give us a path.
But being willing to ask “What if?” may help us find a better way to get there.
We don’t need to change everything. But we should be willing to question anything.
And I think that’s the kind of culture we need for the next 26 years.
So I’m curious:
What’s something in your business you haven’t questioned in a long time?
Maybe it’s time to ask:
“What if?”