Have you ever walked into a room with a dead fish on the table? At first, the smell is unbearable but if it stays there long enough, you stop noticing it. It’s not that the problem has gone away, you’ve just learned to tolerate and live with it.
The same happens with ignored issues whether they are inefficiencies, outdated processes, or unreported problems. If left unaddressed, they become like that stale fish. What began as a glaring issue gradually blends into the background, and before we know it, we’re working around it instead of fixing it.
Take, for example, a platform feature often mistake as broken. If we don’t stop to ask ourselves, “Why does this keep getting reported? What’s causing this confusion?” there’s a risk of accepting it as normal. The problem doesn’t disappear— new clients will keep reporting the same concern, we just keep handling the tickets and dismiss the root cause each time.
If we aren’t careful, we start to normalize these inefficiencies. Once that happens, it becomes harder to make changes, because we’ve learned to live with the discomfort. The fish might not smell as bad anymore, but again, it’s still there and it’s still causing problems.
The key is to stay sharp—never assuming that just because something has been done a certain way, it’s the best way. We must stay vigilant and proactively evaluate how we are doing things no matter how familiar they may feel. This also means not being dismissive of hidden inefficiencies, but being open-minded and listening to the feedback of those who bring them up. More importantly, taking action as early as we can. Only then can we ensure that we don’t make dead fishes our new norm.
The good thing about change is that it brings fresh perspectives and the chance to improve the way things are done. When we take the time to identify problems instead of working around them, we create opportunities for growth and progress.
But real change isn’t just about new ideas—it’s about taking action. Each of us has a role to play in making things better by staying proactive, open to feedback, and willing to challenge outdated ways. When we commit to improvement, we create an environment where everyone benefits.
