Whenever I talk about what I think of as effective ways to work, somebody always pushes back with “what we’re doing now works,” and "<some behemoth company> doesn't do that and they're successful!" Sure.
On top of that, the world changes. Things used to be done the old way at another company, but circumstances may be different now. 10-year-old stories don't help when working towards the future.
Exactly. And Roman emperors used to bathe in wine. Doesn’t mean it was a sound hydration strategy. Big Tech ‘success’ is often just venture-capital-fueled flailing at scale—an expensive circus of half-baked ideas wrapped in prestige branding. Pointing at that and saying ‘see, it works!’ is like watching someone win roulette and calling it a business model. If your company isn’t propped up by monopolies, moonshot write-offs, or the world’s ad budget, maybe don’t take process advice from the ones setting fire to money faster than you make payroll.
“It works, compared to the unknown.” That’s the answer to your question. It’s basically what you mention, but that’s it. I don’t see it as resistance to change as much as I see it as, “Allen, the way I know is familiar, comfortable, and got me here.” Now, it’s not good, but that’s why. And when you know that, you can really start to help people improve.
On top of that, the world changes. Things used to be done the old way at another company, but circumstances may be different now. 10-year-old stories don't help when working towards the future.
Exactly. And Roman emperors used to bathe in wine. Doesn’t mean it was a sound hydration strategy. Big Tech ‘success’ is often just venture-capital-fueled flailing at scale—an expensive circus of half-baked ideas wrapped in prestige branding. Pointing at that and saying ‘see, it works!’ is like watching someone win roulette and calling it a business model. If your company isn’t propped up by monopolies, moonshot write-offs, or the world’s ad budget, maybe don’t take process advice from the ones setting fire to money faster than you make payroll.
“It works, compared to the unknown.” That’s the answer to your question. It’s basically what you mention, but that’s it. I don’t see it as resistance to change as much as I see it as, “Allen, the way I know is familiar, comfortable, and got me here.” Now, it’s not good, but that’s why. And when you know that, you can really start to help people improve.
Great post Allen. Really enjoy your work.