True Change Happens in Small Steps—Disruption Rarely Starts by Overhauling the Core

Within organizations, change by revolution rarely sticks. More often, true disruption comes from a series of small, sensible steps. Consider a public high school facing budget cuts. No one wanted to cut core math or language classes, but a specialized science elective serving only a handful of students became too costly to maintain. Instead of dropping it, the district let an online provider fill the gap, at first only for this fringe need. Next year, another under-enrolled language course was outsourced. Within three years, students could access a wealth of options, with the school's own staff focusing on just the central curriculum and support.

At each phase, no dramatic decision was required—just a string of reasonable outsourcing choices in response to shrinking budgets and changing student demand. Behavioral research shows people accept incremental change more easily, rationalizing each step as common sense. Before anyone fully realizes it, the foundation of the institution has shifted, and transformation is both deep and lasting.

Be alert to opportunities for incremental change, especially those others see as minor or low-priority. As soon as you’re asked to cut back or streamline, look for reliable partners who can fill your peripheral needs. Let the process unfold steadily, avoiding drama—just keep responding to shifting demands with practical handoffs. Review after several cycles, and you’ll probably notice that your own role or organization looks very different—and perhaps, much stronger for it. The main thing is to trust and test this gradual approach; true disruption sneaks up one logical step at a time.