The things we’ve done before get less scrutiny. We did them last year (or last quarter, or last month) so when the time comes to do them again, we turn the crank and start.
New things, on the other hand, get all the tough questions. Why?
Did we know more last year about what needed to happen today than we know today? Probably not.
Rather, the things we’ve done before, collectively, add up to our sense of who we are. Organizationally, we are the sum the things we do – our programs, our initiatives, our product lines – and cutting one of those away creates a sense of loss.
Worse, that loss may arrive special delivery from the outside. Those close to you – customers, donors, friends – are quick to say, “I miss that thing we used to do.” But they’ll never bang on your door with nostalgia for the thing you’ve never done.
If you’re in the “creating new things” business, your job is to understand how much the people around you resist white space and how much loss will be experienced by letting go of something familiar. Then your job is to work through these tough, personal conversations, not to pretend they don’t have to happen.
Remember, old versus new isn’t a fair fight based on the merits what makes the most sense today.
Reblogged this on brandable.