To: My Friends

Issue: "If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It."

How many times have you heard, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?" Would you fly on an airline with that philosophy? I wouldn't! It's hard to pull over to the side of the sky when an airliner breaks down! If you live the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," mindset, then you doom yourself to a life of recovering from breakdowns!

Un-American: The "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy is actually un-American! It is the antithesis of the American spirit: looking for a better way. Ole Evinrude's wife loved ice cream. He used to row across the lake to the store to buy her some. By the time he got it home, it was melted. Thus, he invented the detachable rowboat motor to get the ice cream home faster. There are millions of other examples where people did not accept the status quo and took risks that have paid off. The American way, and a key element of leadership, is looking for opportunities with promise and seizing them. Unfortunately, there are also many businesses that have folded because they were lulled into complacency by the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" myth.

Sell the problem: One of the challenges of leadership is getting people to take action before a situation becomes a problem. That requires challenging the status quo with information and questions. Questions can be much more powerful than statements, as they require people to think and come up with answers. "What if investors decide that current profit really is important? What could happen to our business model? If you were a consultant, what would you identify as our vulnerabilities? What action must we take to protect against them? What actions must we avoid?" When people have information and penetrating questions to answer, they usually get the picture and start the process to solve problems creatively.

Focus on the potential benefits: People mired in an "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset can always find reasons not to try something different. They need to be listened to. They typically won't open their minds to possibilities until they feel they have been heard. Once they have, they have an obligation to listen. Say, "Thanks for expressing your concerns. We need to take them into consideration as we move forward. However, if we could make this work, what would be the benefits?" By asking them to search for and articulate benefits, you engage them in a process that requires a positive outlook. A vision of better future is needed to overcome resistance.

"How can we make this work?" A vision, however, is not enough. People need to see how to get there. By asking them what it will take to make it work, you are enlisting them in a process to make it work. Though some will cling to the status quo, emphasize that you are looking for ways to make things work, mindful of their concerns. When people can see real benefits, and define the process to achieve them, you get results.

The status quo is easier. It is known, and adventure involves risks. To dispel people of their "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, first help them to understand that what may not seem broken is, in fact, heading for the breaking point. Let them define the possible consequences, and the benefits of addressing the situation proactively. Some people need to see a path out of the forest before they will move. Help them to discover and define that path. The more experienced they become with this process, the less you will hear, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Sincerely,

Ian Jacobsen CMC, FIMC
Coach to Leaders and Teams