The hard reality: When to break with tradition and why challenging 'how it’s always done' liberates innovation

Notice the weight of routine—a certain safety in repeating steps you didn’t invent, sometimes handed down so long no one remembers why. In one small team, new hires hear the grumbling: 'We always fill out this form, but no one reads it.' At first, a few quietly ask if anyone has ever tried skipping this step, but they’re met with shrugs. One day, a veteran who’s just plain tired of waste dusts off the courage to ask: what if we stopped? The room goes silent, some eyes dart away. But over the next morning, questions bubble up. Could this work better? Did it ever work at all?

A team debate ensues. Half argue that small safety rituals prevent future chaos; the other half challenges, citing slowdowns and missed data. Finally, with a mix of curiosity and anxiety, they drop the unnecessary step for two whole weeks, logging any real issues. To their surprise, nothing catastrophic happens, and the process improves. The group feels a small surge of pride and maybe even amusement at what they’d clung to. Practices we inherit often exist past their usefulness, and seeing them clearly—not just following blindly—frees energy for genuine progress. Mindful teams aren’t reckless, but they do gently challenge ‘always’ rules in the service of real outcomes.

Notice a routine in your group that hasn't been seriously reconsidered in ages—then deliberately explore whether it's actually serving you. Organize a playful, respectful debate about its value, and be bold enough to try changing something (even temporarily) to see what happens. Track what you learn, knowing some rules survive for good reason—but others only for lack of questioning. These small experiments unlock huge creative energy when you try them in your own environment.