"That's The Way We've Always Done It." The Most Dangerous Phrase In Business

Roger Pujol, CPIM, CSCP
Apr 21
2 min read

Updated: Apr 22

Man with finger pointing up. — “That’s the way we’ve always done it.”

“That’s the Way We’ve Always Done It” — The Most Dangerous Phrase In Business

A phrase floats around conference rooms, shop floors, and office meetings, making every consultant, strategist, and change agent wince: “That’s the way we’ve always done it.”

At first glance, it might sound harmless, like a warm blanket of tradition. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find it’s often code for stagnation, inefficiency, and fear of change.

The Comfort of the Known

We get it. Change is uncomfortable. The way things have always been done feels safe. It’s familiar. It worked in the past, and there's a belief that sticking to it will keep things running smoothly. But in a world moving at the speed of software updates and market pivots, “the way it’s always been” can quickly become “the way it shouldn’t be anymore.”

The Hidden Cost

Doing things the same way year after year doesn’t just slow you down—it can cost you money, time, talent, and opportunity. Think about:

Inefficiencies that were tolerable when you had fewer customers but are now bottlenecks.
Legacy systems are held together by duct tape and tribal knowledge, because “Joe knows how to fix it.”
Outdated processes that frustrate your team, but no one questions them because it’s “just how we do things.”

These are not just operational risks—they’re strategic liabilities.

Why We Default to Habit

Humans are creatures of habit. Organizations are, too. Change introduces uncertainty, and uncertainty feels risky. But here’s the truth: not changing is often the bigger risk.

Companies that thrive don’t just adapt—they build a culture that questions assumptions. They treat “the way we’ve always done it” not as a badge of honor, but as a warning flag.

A Better Way to Think

Instead of defaulting to tradition, ask:

Is this still serving us?
Is there a better tool, process, or strategy we could explore?
Are we holding onto this because it’s effective—or just because it’s familiar?

These questions can open the door to meaningful conversations, operational improvements, and long-overdue innovation.

Final Thought

The next time someone says, “That’s the way we’ve always done it,” try replying with:

“That’s exactly why we need to take a closer look.”

If your organization has this culture, we can assist you. Our team can conduct a Business Process Assessment to identify any hidden inefficiencies. Following this, we will document your process in a standard SOP format. Reach out to us for a complimentary consultation.

Roger Pujol is a business improvement consultant and the founder of Champion Business Solutions, LLC. He speaks and writes about encounters helping small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) improve their business operations.