We are built for stability. As humans we like to do what we’ve done before and keep doing it that way for as long as possible. It’s not stubbornness; It’s primal. If that way out of the forest kept us from being eaten by a bear, well, let’s go that way every time. And I see with my clients in large organizations the same resistance. They aren’t outrunning bears or even being irrational. Resistance to change in organizations often is simply because the status quo is seen as less risky.

Habits are great for self-preservation. They bring fewer surprises and more efficiency. We get better and better at doing whatever we’re doing. And a lot of the time, repetition works. It not only helps us do the same things better and faster. It also soothes us, it gives us predictability, and makes us more confident.

The downside of habits is the same as the upside – the seductive comfort of consistency. The problem is that life is not a repeatable event. Your favorite coffee shop closes. The weather changes. There’s an accident up ahead on your commute. When we cling too closely to our preferred methods, we become dependent on them. Change is unfamiliar, and that can be deeply unsettling. It can be frightening or lead to anger when we have to change. But, we can practice........

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