You know how the phrase usually ends: “Don’t fix it.” This a popular idiom in the world of business, engineering, politics, athletics, you name it. In general, it makes sense—why worry about something that is working just fine? Too many times someone wants to change things just for the sake of change. This can be costly in both money, energy, and mistakes.
Yet, others think the phrase should better end with “break it!” Leaders have a tendency, or a need, to improve things. You want better results, and then some. Sometimes, that extra touch, that extra effort, ends up with a greater outcome, but in other cases it turns to be a setback for something that was working fine before. Evidently either path has it’s perils. “To break it or don’t fix it. That is the question!”
No doubt expressions like “If it ain’t broke, don’t fixt it,” and the meaning and attitudes behind them, can be detrimental to long-term business success. It’s similar to answering, “Because that’s how we’ve always done it,” when asked why your company doesn’t make certain change.
In today's world, change is perceived as not only good, but as a requirement! The perception is that by making frequent changes, you buy time to flesh out what does and doesn’t work. Thus you will be miles ahead of the competition.
Though we shouldn’t worry about things that aren’t causing us problems, we should remember that things are much easier fixed before they break:
- Tires are easier pumped with air before they’ve gone flat.
- Plants are easier revived before they’ve completely dried out.
- A marriage is easier maintained with regular check ups than fixed after walls are up
- A machine is better serviced regularly than waiting until it breaks to fix it.
Likewise, in today’s competitive environment, if your business system isn’t broken, maybe you need to review it and decide how to change and improve it. Frequent reviews and focus on specific areas to improve are a must. If you don’t do it, your competitors might, forcing you out of business.
Remember. . .
Get feedback from people on a regular basis, from within and outside your company. Be open to change and new ideas, and regularly review how you do things. Look for new and better ways to function.
In the end, you might want to change the phrase: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” to something like, “If it ain’t broke, let’s break it and see what makes it tick. Let’s find a way to put it back together making it even better. Then let’s apply the best parts to other stuff!” Ok, ok, maybe this is too long to be a catch phrase, but you get the idea.
I can help you plan and achieve the growth your deserve. Working with me you will find your best individual path for development and change. To find out more, simply click here.
Photo by: ralphrepo