We've always done it that way is the one reason that is not allowed.

technique — attributed to Seth Moulton

Moulton tells his Marine team and his congressional staff the same rule. If you believe we should be doing something differently, I want to hear your idea. There are two conditions. You have to give me a reason. The reason cannot be because that is the way we have always done it. The rule sounds simple. In practice, it is the most common reason every institution gives for not changing, and ruling it out forces the team to actually defend their existing practice on the merits. Practices that survive the test are kept. Practices that do not are revised. The discipline is what keeps the team innovating rather than ossifying.

For managers, military officers, and senior leaders inheriting an established team or organization. The rule is most useful when stated explicitly and enforced visibly the first few times it is invoked.

innovation, challenge-norms, team-culture, feedback