“We have always done to this way.” is a common response I hear from officers around North America when I ask them what they hear from the naysayers in their agencies when they want to change something, innovate or try something new.
It bothers me when I ask trainers why they do a specific drill or exercise in training, or why they do things in the sequence they do and the answer I get is, “We have always done it this way.”
Earlier this month Seth Godin wrote a blog post titled, ‘Because it has always been this way.‘ In the post he says,”The real answer is, “Because if someone changes it, that someone will be responsible for what happens.”
He then goes on to ask, “Are you okay with that being the reason things are the way they are?”
Godin’s explanation makes perfect sense. Too often no one changes the status quo because they do not want to take responsibility for what happens. The new idea may not work. The changes may be a failure and people are reluctant to take responsibility for something that may not work.
So, you have to decide. Are you willing to take the risk? Are you willing to take the chance? Are you willing to take responsibility for the changes? Or, are you simply going to accept the status quo even though you know there may be a better way, a way that will better serve the people you have the honour and privilege to train.
Excellence is a choice. So is mediocrity. Choosing excellence comes with risk and responsibility.
Time to choose.
Brian Willis
Winning Mind Training – Dedicated to helping the men and women of law enforcement Embrace the Suck, focus on What’s Important Now and Dare to Be Great.
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