Not long ago, I was brought in to help a company with a deteriorating safety record. My task was clear: improve performance. A quick audit revealed widespread deviations from core safety processes and lack of clear behavioral standards. When I pushed for immediate action, the leadership resisted. Shouldn’t we first design a new organizational model?
It didn’t take long to recognize the real issue: a culture where the pursuit of perfection had become an excuse for inaction.
Organizations trapped in this mindset share two traits. First, they hold endless meetings, with no action items, no accountability, and no real progress. Second, their language is riddled with delay tactics: We need more data. Let’s explore additional alternatives. Maybe a benchmark study first.
High-performing organizations operate differently. They prioritize production before perfection, a relentless focus on testing new ideas, creating value and executing fast.
Take a hard look at your organization. Are you driving action, or are you caught in analysis paralysis?
