It's funny how the status quo tends to be our desired place of residence in the workplace. Both with employees and supervisors, the status quo is almost sought out and the space between too much risk and too little effort is nearly always occupied. We find it comfortable to not question processes or rock the boat, even when what we see doesn't make sense. It could be because our own experiences have shown us that stirring the waters is scary or that those around and above us mark it as impassable territory, but regardless of the reasons we have, the principle is the same: different is bad.
In my opinion, we don't view different as bad because it actually is bad. Instead, we view it as a bad thing because history has taught us that new and different in the workplace can often lead to more headaches, meetings and lengthy approval processes than any of us would ever willingly sign up for. However, different is the key to success in the workplace and because of this, employers are going to have to learn to not only adapt to change but to encourage it.
Why reinvention is key
Reinvention is one of those things in business that we all know must exist but really doesn't. In our ever-evolving culture, organizations have no choice but to learn how to go with the flow if they want to keep up with what's going on around them. The organizations that aren't able to invite in a culture of reinvention are the ones who will be left behind. It's a face that even a wildly successful business will eventually be left in the dust when their competitors, both new and existing, change and grow with their customers needs and wants.
Reinvention doesn't come easy
A desire for reinvention doesn't only come in the form of new college graduates and young entrepreneurs but it also isn't something you see every day. It is vital to the success of an organization but we don't know how to accept or create it, so finding the right people to encourage and participate in an environment of change can be difficult, but it really comes down to seeking out candidates that don't get buried in the status quo. On the flip side of that is the fact that many people see these types of candidates as flaky or unreliable but that isn't necessarily the case.
What this means for your boss
Reinvention is nothing new for your boss or yourself if you are the big cheese. We reinvent our business, our strategies and plans every single day. With each new technology, business professionals must learn to adapt to new recruiting methods in order to bring in the best and brightest. And while your department won't be the ones developing products, services and processes to meet new demands, you will be the ones recruiting for those key positions that will be vital to building a culture of reinvention. The responsibility to recruit the right people is enormous since the people you bring in will drive the success of the organization.