Status quo is the Enemy of Growth
In discussions about growth the notion of the status quo often emerges as a central theme.
Acknowledging the tactics used to defend the status quo is an important step in any process of change, as it allows for a clearer understanding of the barriers to progress and how they might be overcome.
The concept of the "status quo" refers to the existing state of affairs, particularly in the context of social or political issues. It's a Latin phrase that has been adopted into English usage to describe the current situation or the way things are right now.
Neither [defense of the status quo] is true, helpful or generous. Both happen all the time. Call it out when you see it.
Seth Godin
Seth Godin identifies 2 ways to defend the status quo.
Neither of these defense mechanisms are truthful, constructive, or kind. Godin argues that they're just fallacious and his advice to "call it out" when we see it. Which suggests active engagement and challenging such defenses, presumably in favor of addressing and solving the underlying problems.
Seth Godin's perspective on defending the status quo touches on two common tactics:
- Deny the problem. Minimize it, make up data, distract from the conversation, make people feel like hypocrites, and emphasize the convenient and persistent elements of what is in place.
- Acknowledge the problem but point out that it’s now far too late to do anything about it.
There are more, just as fallacious tactics and common defense mechanisms used to protect the status quo that you should know about. Let’s add six more that you’ll likely already have encountered.
You might not be able to address them or solve them yet, but at least they will help you identify underlying problems.
- Appeal to tradition. Suggest that because something has been done a certain way for a long time, it should remain that way.
The world changes daily and there is nothing you can do about it. Therefore, to keep tradition you have to change daily, too. Just insisting on tradition is not sufficient. Progress and innovation are not a reason to resist change.
- Overstate the cost of change. Emphasize the costs, challenges and potential losses associated with change.
Change does come with costs, but don’t be misleading. Strive for a balanced assessment of whether the status quo is actually more beneficial in the long term.
The cost of not changing — in terms of missed opportunities and stagnation — will most of the times be even higher.
- Slippery slope argument. Claim that a small change will inevitably lead to a chain of negative events.
The slippery slope is a logical fallacy and is based on pure speculation. As a fearmongering tactic it paralyzes action by presenting the worst-case scenario as the most likely outcome.
- Not the right time. Suggests that while change may be necessary, the current moment is not the right time for it.
There is no right moment to become a parent for the first time. Waiting for the perfect moment often means never acting at all. There is rarely a perfect time for change, and delay can exacerbate issues or cause opportunities to be missed.
- Deflection. Instead of addressing the need for change, redirect the conversation to a different issue altogether.
Deflecting makes you a weak leader. It's important to stay focused on the topic at hand. And when growth becomes the core issue then conversations of change from status quo are necessary.
- Feigned helplessness. Claim that the problem is too big or complex for you and for that matter for any one person to solve. Point out that attempting to do so is futile.
Change starts with individual actions and small steps. While no one person may be able to solve a problem entirely, collective efforts lead to significant progress.
Change is About Open-mindedness and Critical Thinking
By dismantling these defense mechanisms and promoting a culture of open-mindedness and critical thinking, we can foster an environment where change is not something to be feared, but rather an opportunity to be embraced for improvement and innovation.
It is through challenging the status quo that organizations and societies can adapt, grow, and thrive in an ever-changing world.
I think it touches on some profound principles from both physics and social science. In physics we have the concept of entropy which is a measure of disorder. Systems naturally progress from a state of order (low entropy) to a state of disorder (high entropy), unless energy is inputted into the system to maintain or increase order.
This concept from thermodynamics has been metaphorically applied to various fields, including social systems, economics, and information theory.
To make growth happen, we have to commit energy.
Status Quo and the Social Inertia of Social Systems
The decision to maintain or alter the status quo can be a point of contention, as it involves balancing the comfort and stability of the known against the risks and opportunities of change. Whether that is social change, politics, business, or personal growth… anything that requires an input of energy.
In the context of social systems, the "status quo" often represents a state of perceived equilibrium where things remain constant unless disrupted by an external force or internal energy.
It seems like anything that requires the input of any kind of energy is prone to a defense mechanism... anything that deviates from entropy is not status quo.
This defense mechanism is called social inertia — a tendency of the system to resist changes to its current state.
In the analogy of entropy this means every effort of change means energy input into the social system that encounters social Inertia.
While social systems are not closed systems and influenced by many dynamic factors, including human agency, culture, and technology, the defense mechanisms against change are part of this complex social dynamic themselves and are as influenced by psychological factors and power structures as by any natural tendency towards disorder.
The Resistance to Change (Social Inertia)
Just as objects at rest tend to stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force (Newton's first law of motion), social systems often resist change.
Maintaining the status quo requires less immediate energy than initiating change, much like it takes less energy to keep an object in motion on a frictionless surface than to start moving it.
Input of Energy (Effort for Change)
To alter the status quo, energy must be introduced in the form of new ideas, movements, or efforts that disrupt the current equilibrium.
This effort is a force that decreases entropy within the system by increasing order or organization.
Entropy (Disorder)
Without input of energy, social systems may tend toward disorder or entropy. In social terms, this disorder might manifest as apathy, stagnation, or decline, rather than the physical disorder described in thermodynamics.
Deviation from Entropy (Progress/Development)
When energy is inputted into a system to create change, you can measure a deviation from entropy that leads to a more ordered, structured state.
In social terms, this could be the process of reform, development, or innovation that creates a new status quo, potentially more complex and ordered than the previous one.
The Psychological Biases Defending the Status Quo
The tendency to cling to the status quo is not just a matter of comfort or habit; it is anchored in deep-seated psychological processes and cognitive biases.
At the forefront is loss aversion, a principle suggesting that people prioritize avoiding losses over acquiring equivalent gains, making the risk inherent in change seem daunting.
This aversion is compounded by the status quo bias, where any deviation from the current state is perceived as a loss, making the known and familiar appear disproportionately valuable.
The fear of the unknown plays a significant role as well; uncertainty breeds discomfort, and the thought of venturing into uncharted territory triggers a preference for the current, predictable state.
Additionally, embracing change demands mental effort and a departure from the cognitive economy we're wired to prefer, often leading to resistance due to the sheer force of inertia.
The endowment effect further cements this resistance, with a tendency to overvalue our current possessions or beliefs, viewing them as extensions of our identity.
Lastly, confirmation bias ensures that we seek out information that supports our pre-existing beliefs, creating a feedback loop that reinforces the status quo.
Together, these psychological underpinnings craft a formidable defense against change, one that leaders and change agents must strategically navigate to foster progress and innovation.
In conclusion, the journey through understanding the intricacies of change has unraveled the necessity of intentional action and strategic leadership. We've delved into the psychological bedrock that underpins our natural resistance to change, highlighted by cognitive biases that favor the familiar over the uncertain. This exploration has not been an academic exercise but a call to harness this knowledge for practical empowerment. The essence of our discussion points to a clear resolution: embracing change is not merely a choice but a requisite for growth and innovation.
Embrace Changing the Status-quo
The key takeaway is that change, while challenging, is not an insurmountable obstacle. It is the fertile ground on which new ideas and better practices can flourish. By addressing the underlying psychological factors that impede change, you can craft strategies that transform inertia into dynamic progress, ensuring that you team not only adapts but also thrives in the face of leaving status quo.
The action you take today need not be monumental. Begin with a small, manageable step: reflect on one area in your personal or professional life where status quo has held sway.
Question it.
This tiny ripple of introspection is the next, smallest, step. And as we all know, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
