The status quo is all about preserving the existing state. It is all about doing what is comfortable and not thinking out of the box.
Humans evolved because of our quest. We sought until there was an answer. The theory of gravity rose when an apple hit the ground. Invention and innovation happened because we tried to find the answer to difficult problems. This was the norm until a few decades back. Hence, I call the 18th and 19th century as age of invention and innovation.
Unfortunately, in recent decades the trend has reversed. The new norm is to follow an already set path. Questioning the current state is discouraged in schools, offices, and even at homes. Alternatively, a seed has been sowed in our minds that questioning is a symbol of inferior knowledge or lack of obedience. Sometimes, it happens due to the fear of being ridiculed.
Where it starts?
It begins from our childhood. Take the example of exams in school. These tests in school have been designed to test your memory rather than your understanding, regurgitating the textbook is the norm. This led to a point, where you will question nothing and accept the status quo.
But, success is to people who ask the questions and find innovative answers.
We love those people and their persona mesmorizes us. I strongly believe that is the reason why Steve Jobs is still an undisputed leader whom we compare even after a decade of his demise.
The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
https://www.indigo9digital.com/blog//9-of-the-best-steve-jobs-quotes-about-innovation-that-you-should-read-today
The Experience
In one of the companies I worked for, the management encouraged me to challenge the existence of a few practices. I noticed that employee had different portals(HR, IT and so on) to sort their daily operations issue. And, life was hard when there was dependency. This impacted efficiency and so I recommended a single unified platform to handle daily operations. This drastically improved the productivity as well as the experience of the employee. It was a personal success to my career too.
In another company that, status quo was not disturb the existing sales process. During my interaction with their clients, I did a see a lot of revenue scope through customer retention. Unfortunately, the management didn’t want to risk it for some reason. They wanted the sales team to handle it(ideally it should have been customer success). So that opportunity went untapped.
Challenge the status quo
As a leader, you should have the ability to understand yourself. as well as your Knowing the strength and weakness helps with growth and innovation. So, the first step in this process is to identify what your organization, team or you actually do. Deep dive to cause the disruption,if required, for innovation.
To move forward, try to find out why we actually do or follow this at the first place. Try to post more question like where you or your team want to me. What you need to do to achieve this and how you would want to do it. Analyze what difference your innovation bring onto the table and how different it would be from the current state.
The point of asking these questions is to not rip down the existing state of affairs but to identify the challenges that prevents you from improving and innovating.
Ask the tough questions. Continue to challenge the status quo. And, what follow is growth and innovation.
Personally, have a lifelong curiosity can feed you, and can fuel your passion to strive for success. Don’t stop doing it – Continue to challenge status quo.
