Locking into a “best practice” can be a pitfall as it can stifle innovation, lead to stagnation, and make an organization inflexible in the face of change. While best practices often represent a successful approach at a specific point in time, they are not timeless truths.
The business landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies, market demands, and competitive pressures emerging regularly. What worked yesterday is unlikely to work today or tomorrow. Locking into a best practice can prevent a company from adapting to these changes, leaving it vulnerable to more agile competitors.
The Pitfalls of a “Best Practice”
Stagnation and Lack of Innovation
A major risk of getting locked into a best practice is that it can create a culture of comfortable complacency. If a team believes they are already using the “best” method, there’s little motivation to explore new, potentially more effective ways of working. This can lead to a lack of innovation, where teams simply repeat the same processes, as this is something that they are comfortable with. Without questioning their efficiency or relevance can lead to Stagnation for a business that needs to stay ahead of the curve.
Inflexibility and Inability to Adapt
Best practices are often designed for a specific context. When that context changes, the practice become obsolete. For example, a “best practice” for marketing a product has been based on traditional media like print or television. In today’s digital world, sticking to that old practice would be a huge mistake. By being too rigid, an organization can miss out on new opportunities and fail to respond to threats.
Overlooking Unique Circumstances
Every organization is unique, with its own culture, goals, and challenges. A best practice that works for one company is not a good fit for another. Simply copying a process without considering your own specific needs can lead to inefficiencies and frustration. It can also cause a loss of competitive advantage if you’re doing the same thing as everyone else.
How to avoid the Pitfalls of a “Best Practice”
Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Instead of viewing practices as “best,” think of them as “current best.” This subtle but important shift in mindset encourages a culture of continuous improvement. Regularly review and challenge existing processes. Ask questions like:
- “Is this still the most effective way to do this?”
- “What new tools or technologies improve this process?”
- “What can we learn from our failures?”
- “What would happen if we tried something completely different?”
Encourage Experimentation
Create a safe environment for teams to experiment and try new things, even if they fail. Allocate time and resources for pilot projects and new initiatives. Celebrate learning from failures rather than punishing them. This approach helps to discover new, more effective methods and fosters a dynamic, innovative environment.
Stay Informed and Connected
Keep up with the latest trends and developments in your industry. Attend conferences, read industry publications, and network with peers. Pay attention to what your competitors are doing, but also look for inspiration from other industries. Staying informed helps you identify when a “best practice” is becoming outdated and what new approaches are emerging.
Sources
- Drucker, P. F. (2007). Innovation and Entrepreneurship. HarperBusiness.
- Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t. HarperBusiness.
- Christensen, C. M. (1997). The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail. Harvard Business Review Press.