The Status Quo is formally defined as the existing state of affairs. Regardless of whether your organization is growing, stagnating or shrinking you should never be satisfied with the status quo. In fact, if you become satisfied then you officially join the ranks of what we call the “Status Quo Protectors”. The day you think you or your organization has peaked or it can’t do any better then that’s the day you begin protecting the status quo.
4 Signs you might be a Status Quo Protector…
- You think you have arrived – This usually happens with those who have been around for a while. You’ve been there, done that and you’re not going to change. You’re opposed to trying new ideas that may challenge your current knowledge or that may get you out of your so called comfort zone.
- You lack innovation – When’s the last time you had an innovative idea and implemented it? You’re fine with the current way of doing things and have no desire to create a better or more effective or more productive way of doing your job.
- Why we can’t, not how we can – Have you ever caught yourself saying “this is the way we’ve always done it”? Do you find a reason not to do things differently. You are complaint-based instead of solutions-based.
- There’s always a reason – You’re not reaching your goals… response… “yeah, but”. You always have a reason to excuse your lack of performance. If you find yourself consistently coming up with the latest excuse as to why something didn’t get done, a goal didn’t get reached or a program or process didn’t get implemented, then it’s time to look in the mirror. What are the odds “it’s never your fault”? Think about it.
Begin focusing on what’s working within the organization and expanding it. Spend 90% of your time with the 10% that “get it”. Then open your mind and open the possibilities to what you and your organization can achieve by denigrating the status quo and striving for the remarkable.
