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Best Practices. I don’t remember when I first read the term. It was perhaps 12 or 13 years ago. However, I do remember where I read it…in the pages of a leading newspaper. A phrase from that article has stuck with me ever since: “That was Best, could have been better.”
That wonderful obituary for football legend George Best is still fresh in my memory. A well-deserved tribute.
A recent conversation with a client about ‘best practices’ triggered this long-buried memory. The obituary for footballing icon George Best, with its striking phrase ‘That was Best, could have been better,’ came flooding back. It’s a powerful reminder that blindly adopting ‘best practices’ can be counterproductive.
Why Nature Rejects Universal Best Practices
Nature understands it. Sadly, we don’t. Giant redwood sequoia trees are good for the shores of California, but cactus is more suitable for the sand dunes of Arabia. Though it is in professional services this hackneyed phrase of best practices is used to death, I would blame it on how our civilization has evolved.
How Evolution Shaped Our Best Practices Mindset
I would not be totally off the mark in saying that the “Practice of best practices” and survival of mankind has gone hand in hand.
Our ancestors, with their average lifespan of less than 40 years, lived short, unforgiving lives. Moment-to-moment survival demanded instant, instinctive decisions, rooted in the reptilian part of their brains. The stark reality of ‘hunt or be hunted’ left no room for strategic thinking.
Remember the South African comedy, ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’? The young African bushman’s instinctive response to the hyena—appearing larger—is a prime example of a ‘best practice’ honed over millennia.
Mark and Delia Owens, in their book ‘The Cry of the Kalahari,’ provide further insight. They advise that when confronted by a lion, one should maintain eye contact, appear larger, and if possible, elevate a child to amplify their perceived size. This strategy, rooted in ancient wisdom, underscores the power of instinctive responses in critical situations. As we move forward, lions have made their way into modern buildings.
Ancient Rome’s Quality Control: A Best Practice Case Study
While our ancestors relied on instinct for survival, humans have developed complex strategies, often rooted in best practices from fields like construction, farming, shipping, and warfare. Ancient Rome, for instance, used a rather brutal method to ensure quality construction. When the scaffolding was removed from a newly built arch, the builder had to stand beneath it. This extreme incentive led to the construction of enduring structures. Those that failed often resulted in dire consequences for the architect. I really wish that my friend, a millionaire in the clinical research industry, adopts this approach to quality control.
The point is there was always one best way to survive for our ancestors. Either one learned from the wisdom of the fortunate survivor or perished. This stark choice has ingrained a deep-rooted affinity for best practices in our subconscious, much like the ‘fight or flight’ response.
Times have changed but acquired habits have not.
Breaking Free from Traditional Best Practices
Even though corporate jungles are thematically similar to the challenges our ancestors faced, we possess a distinct advantage: the ability to think critically and strategically. Unlike our ancestors, who were often forced to rely on instinctual responses, we can consciously apply thought to our actions. It can help us break free from the constraints of mindless, mechanical routine and explore innovative solutions.
As professionals working in business transformation programs, it is vital for us to get rid of the mantra “What is good for Peter is good for Paul”.
One best practice that will always yield positive results is to adapt to the new context (culture, environment, constraints, and possibilities) and become adept at it before adopting it to your situation.
Otherwise, we may hear the familiar refrain, “That was best, but could have been better.”
Empower Yourself and Others
Want to become a skilled coach who can empower individuals and teams to think critically and adapt to change? Discover how Coacharya’s coach training can help you break free from outdated practices and embrace a future-focused approach. Enroll in any coach training program between December 1st-15th January to avail a 25% discount. For more information or free consultation with a team member, reach out to us at support@coacharya.com.
Want more awesome content? Head over to the author’s blog, KokoroZendo.life, for fresh insights on mindfulness, motivation, and transforming your life. New posts drop all the time to help you on your journey!
