Is it ever okay not to change something because "that's the way it's always be done"?

2014-03-28T10:12:20-04:00

While checking my networks this morning, I came across this image shared by a contact I have on LinkedIn. It hit me pretty hard today because at my work, a lot of my coworkers will say that things don't need to change because that's the way we have always done things.

And here on RallyPoint, I keep reading about the changes, positive or negative that the military is going through and how some people view these changes.

So the question I have is, is it ever okay not to change something because "that's the way it's always be done"?

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 28 at 2014 10:37 AM

2014-03-28T10:37:23-04:00

I used to have arguments with many of the civilian workers on post and I was active when I was trying to take care of troops, I would get this statement many times when errors or unnecessary red tape was delaying things from being done, and my response was always "just because it has always been done that way doesn't mean it is right and how it is supposed to be done." I used to ruffle a lot of feathers that way and my COC used to get lots of phone calls on me, but their first response to them was, "was he disrespectful, "no", was he tactful, "yes", was he right, "that's not the point," and the convo usually ended there.

Many people who have been doing a job a long time like to use this excuse to keep from progressing and moving forward.

Response by SPC Joshua Meadows made Mar 28 at 2014 11:39 AM

2014-03-28T11:39:32-04:00

Maybe it's okay to leave some things the way they are because that's what you're used to, but what is the harm in trying something new just to see what happens. If it sucks, then it is not difficult to go back to the way things were, at least until someone thinks of a new idea. You might be shooting down the greatest thing since sliced bread and you wouldn't even know it if you didn't at least give it a chance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2014 1:04 PM

2014-03-28T13:04:56-04:00

I completely agree that we can benefit from process improvement- We should all strive to do things quicker, with greater efficiency and accuracy. I remember one of my civilian professors saying "If you aren't constantly learning and evolving than you have become a dinosaur and you are on your way out."

Response by GySgt Joe Strong made Jun 2 at 2014 11:08 AM

2014-06-02T11:08:07-04:00

Quote - "So the question I have is, is it ever okay not to change something because "that's the way it's always be done"?"

Yes.
But the rationale is in the why are you not changing it. Certain Football programs have icons the players all touch on the way out to the field - Tradition.
Does it actually, measurably, impact play on the field? Most likely not, but until that program is being drug thru the mud on several successive years and it's time for a complete re-vamp, that tradition is going to hold on tight, it might even be the sole item of action to survive the re-vamp.

Thus, the devil is in the details as to why one is making the change.

Response by SSG Jay OConnor made Jun 3 at 2014 2:26 AM

2014-06-03T02:26:34-04:00

I believe that sometimes you should not fix what is not broke. Sometimes there are things in place simply because it has been a proud tradition for many, many years. 82nd ABN is riddled with tradition and without them, it wouldn't mean as much.