At his new job, Barry saw something funny. The company used odd—sized stationery—about half an inch shorter than standard. When Barry asked why, from intern to executive came the same blank stare and a shrug. “Because that’s how we always did it.”
Barry persisted, finally going to the company’s longest—term employee: Myrna. In the early days—the lean days—Myrna explained, the company owner got a deal on odd—sized envelopes … and trimmed the stationery a half—inch to fit. The company eventually got more envelopes but the habit stuck.
This is Howard Butt Jr. of Laity Lodge. “We’ve always done it that way” can be a poor reason to still do it that way. What are your “just—because” habits? … in the high calling of our daily work.
