The Dysfunction of Dysfunction

Why You Need More Crazy

The problem with dysfunctions is that we often try to solve them with the same dysfunctional thinking that created those dysfunctions in the first place.

Our plans fail → Let's spend more time planning.

Our releases have too many bugs → Let’s release less often.

There is a lack of ownership in teams → Let's create a RACI matrix and introduce a new role we give ownership to.

We're not going fast enough → Let's add more teams.

The thinking paradigm that caused the problems is what prevents us from coming up with the right solution.

What's the solution to this conundrum?

The bad news is you will have to get out of your comfort zone and try new things you don't believe will work based on your current paradigm. The good news is you will have many people already in your organization who are frustrated by the current paradigm. They will tell you all the things that are going terribly wrong. All you have to do is listen to them, and consider giving their crazy ideas a shot and evaluate if it works.

Dysfunction grows and flourishes in the comfort zone. It's where organizations come up with ludicrous ideas like "Assistant Product Owner" or "Proxy Owner" to solve their problems. It's the duct tape approach to solving problems, except that duct tape is the same old shit you were doing before that didn't work.

In other words, when in a dysfunctional place if the changes you're doing feel too familiar, it probably won't work.bIf you want to beat massive dysfunctions what you're doing should feel slightly insane and uncomfortable.

Until it doesn't feel uncomfortable anymore and you begin wondering what the hell all the fuss was about.

Triggered by a post from Adrienne Tan on LinkedIn.