Why Transformations Fail
Routines vs. Habits
When strategies stall, leaders blame resistance or poor communication. however the real problem often lies in treating complex routines as if they were simple habits, and it’s costing organizations more than they realize.
Author Nir Eyal distinguishes:
-Habits: Automatic actions triggered by consistent cues
-Routines: Complex behaviors requiring ongoing effort and system support
Here are three friction points where transformation routines consistently break down:
1.
Approval Creating Decision Paralysis
Imagine a healthcare network implementing a new treatment protocol requiring sign-offs from five departments, taking implementation from weeks to months. The issue isn't resistance, it's a system designed for risk management, not rapid execution. (of course in healthcare risk management is important, but may not need 5 department sign-offs to begin with)
If we were to have aapping decision flows and implement tiered approval thresholds we could cut implementation time dramatically for example.
2. Metrics Driving Functional Conflict
Consider a retailer whose inventory optimization fails despite executive alignment, when we do system mapping, we might find merchandising measures shelf availability (driving overstocking) while supply chain evaluates warehouse costs (incentivizing understocking).
Here the problem isn't communication, it's metrics creating functional conflict. Therefore, designing shared success metrics and clarifying handoffs could improve availability while reducing inventory costs.
3. Local Adaptations Undermining Consistency
Think about a services firm with offices across Europe struggling with inconsistent client experiences. If each location adapts processes for local markets, cross-office collaboration becomes nearly impossible.
Think about how mapping elements consistently versus local flexibility could maintain regional relevance while eliminating friction points.
When transformation fails, we should look beyond communication and resistance, we should look at the system pressures breaking down routines.
If you want to learn about individual habits, you can read:
-Atomic Habits (Clear) - Tiny Habits (Fogg)
or any of the other ones here, however...
If your organization is struggling with routine breakdowns, the solution isn’t habit training – it may instead be friction mapping.
Where is friction costing you the most, and what’s the financial impact?