Why “We’ve Always Done It This Way” Is Killing Your Growth

If your board, your chapter, or your association has ever uttered the words:

“Well… we’ve always done it this way.”

You’ve found the red flag.

That phrase might sound harmless. Familiar. Even comforting.

But make no mistake—it’s one of the most dangerous sentences in leadership.

Because growth doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from challenge, change, and choosing courage over routine.

Let’s break down exactly why this mindset is so costly—and what to do instead.

1. It Prioritizes Legacy Over Leadership

When we default to what’s always been done, we stop asking why we’re doing it in the first place.

• That annual gala no one enjoys.

• That 90-minute meeting that drains your board.

• That renewal strategy that hasn’t changed in 10 years.

Ritual isn’t the same as relevance.

Fix it: Ask this quarterly: Is this still working? Is this still wanted?

2. It Silences New Voices

New board members, new professionals, and younger volunteers bring new energy—and ideas. But when they’re met with “we’ve always done it this way,” you shut the door on innovation.

Worse, you send the message: You’re not here to lead. You’re here to follow.

Fix it: Normalize experimentation. Let new voices build, not just observe.

3. It Creates Complacent Culture

When old patterns go unquestioned, stagnation sets in. The culture turns passive. People stop pushing. Energy drops. Meetings become routine. Membership fades.

What was once vibrant becomes… just maintenance.

Fix it: Appoint a “Challenge Chair”—someone whose job is to poke holes in old habits and ask better questions.

4. It Costs You Opportunity

Sticking with what’s familiar often means missing out on what’s possible.

• New tech that could improve communication?

• A bold partnership that could spark growth?

• A different format that might attract new members?

When you default to the old way, you make decisions based on fear—not vision.

Fix it: Run small pilots. Test new formats. Celebrate smart risks—even if they fail.

5. It Undermines Strategic Thinking

Boards are meant to steer, not coast. When your default mode is tradition, you stop thinking critically. Strategy gets replaced by repetition.

And slowly but surely—you become irrelevant.

Fix it: Make thinking time part of your agenda. Talk about the future—not just the past.

Final Thought

Every time you say, “we’ve always done it this way,” you bury your potential a little deeper.

Growth requires friction. Progress needs fresh perspective. And the most powerful thing a board can do?

Let go of what no longer serves—so foresight can take its place.

Want to break the cycle of complacency and spark bold growth in your boardroom?
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