Updated September 2025
If there’s one phrase that has the power to crush creativity, silence bold ideas, and stall progress in its tracks, it’s this one:
“That’s the way it’s always been done.”
It’s the ultimate excuse. A conversation killer. A safety blanket for anyone clinging to the status quo. And yet, in 2025, companies, schools, and even governments still use it to justify decisions that no longer make sense in a world changing faster than ever.
As an innovation keynote speaker, I hear this phrase all the time. Sometimes it’s spoken proudly, like a badge of tradition. Other times it’s said with a shrug, as if there’s no other choice. But the truth? It’s the fastest way to kill innovation—and the future of your business might depend on whether you can spot it, challenge it, and replace it with something better.
Why “That’s the Way It’s Always Been Done” Is a Trap
From Daylight Savings Time to Dead Ideas
Let’s start with a classic example: Daylight Savings Time. Most people have no clue why we still change our clocks twice a year. If you ask, they’ll shrug and say, “I don’t know. That’s the way it’s always been done.”
But here’s the history:
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The concept was first floated by New Zealand scientist George Vernon Hudson in the late 1800s.
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Germany made it official in 1916 during World War I to save fuel by cutting back on artificial lighting.
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Later, other countries adopted it during wartime, and somehow it stuck—even though the reasons no longer apply.
Today, studies show the fuel savings are negligible, the health consequences are real, and the original purpose doesn’t fit our economy anymore. Yet here we are in 2025, still groaning through clock changes that frustrate more people than they help.
If we can’t let go of something as outdated as Daylight Savings Time, it’s easy to see how businesses get trapped in their own “always been done” cycles.
Change for Change’s Sake? Not Quite.
To be clear, change just for the sake of change isn’t smart either. Systems often exist for good reasons. But innovation means testing whether those reasons still apply.
Ask yourself:
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Does this system still serve its purpose?
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Is it efficient in today’s world?
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Could it be updated, simplified, or replaced with technology?
The goal isn’t reckless reinvention. It’s smart reinvention—updating what no longer works and keeping what does.
The 2025 Business Landscape: Why Clinging to Old Systems Is Riskier Than Ever
Here’s the truth: in 2025, the pace of change is so relentless that “the way it’s always been done” is more dangerous than ever before.
Forces That Constantly Rewrite the Rules
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Technology: AI, automation, and digital tools can make old processes irrelevant overnight.
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Competition: Startups are lean, fast, and ready to disrupt. They’re not slowed down by “tradition.”
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Customer Tastes: Audiences expect personalization, speed, and value—yesterday’s methods won’t cut it.
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Regulations: Government policies can reshape entire industries in a single vote.
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Economy: Global markets shift faster than boardroom strategies.
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Culture: Social values evolve quickly, and businesses that fail to adapt risk public backlash.
If you’re not regularly questioning the systems you’ve built, you’re inviting irrelevance.
Why People Resist Change (and How to Push Through)
Here’s the million-dollar question: If innovation is so valuable, why do people resist it?
The answers are as old as business itself. Fear of failure. Fear of looking foolish. Fear of loss of control. I cover this in detail in my guide to the reasons people resist change.
But the most common reason? Comfort. Familiarity feels safe—even when it’s costing money, energy, or opportunity.
The Outsider Advantage: Why an Innovation Speaker Sees What You Don’t
One of the greatest advantages I have as an innovation speaker is perspective. I don’t work inside your company. I don’t carry its history, traditions, or biases. I’m free to ask questions like:
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“Why do you do it this way?”
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“Does this process still serve you?”
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“If you were starting fresh today, would you design it this way?”
Often, leaders don’t know the answers. Or they realize the system exists only because someone powerful once said, “That’s the way it’s always been done.”
When Tradition Becomes an Anchor
Systems That Should Have Been Retired Years Ago
Here are some examples of outdated thinking still alive in 2025:
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Annual Performance Reviews: Once designed to measure productivity, now often dreaded rituals that sap morale.
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Nine-to-Five Office Mandates: Outdated in a hybrid world where talent demands flexibility.
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Paperwork Hoarding: Printing forms “just in case” when digital signatures are the norm.
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Layered Approval Chains: Processes that require five signatures to move forward—killing speed and creativity.
Tradition feels comfortable, but if it isn’t challenged, it becomes a dead weight.
The Courage to Challenge “Always Been Done”
Breaking free from the trap takes courage. It means standing up to colleagues, managers, or even entire industries and asking the uncomfortable question: “Why?”
And sometimes, the answer reveals uncomfortable truths:
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A system exists because it benefits someone who doesn’t want it changed.
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A process continues because no one wants to take responsibility for updating it.
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A tradition survives because it’s easier to go along than to speak up.
But innovation starts with the courage to challenge those defaults.
How to Spot Innovation Killers in Your Own Organization
H3: Red Flags to Watch For
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“That’s not how we do things here.”
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“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
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“We tried that once; it didn’t work.”
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“Our customers wouldn’t like that.” (without testing it)
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“We don’t have time for that right now.”
Every one of these phrases is a subtle form of innovation-killing.
Building a Culture of “Why Not?”
Instead of defaulting to “that’s the way it’s always been done,” forward-thinking organizations build cultures that ask “why not?”
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Why not test a new idea?
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Why not automate a process?
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Why not experiment with a new market?
Innovation isn’t always about massive disruption. Sometimes it’s about dozens of small experiments that add up to transformation.
Fun Examples of Outdated Thinking That Kills Innovation
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The QWERTY Keyboard: Originally designed to slow down typing so typewriters wouldn’t jam. Still standard in 2025.
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Business Suits Every Day: Dress codes once symbolized professionalism. Today, creativity often thrives in more relaxed environments.
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Hotel “Check-In at 3 PM”: A rule made for housekeeping efficiency, not customer experience.
If these systems were built from scratch in 2025, they’d look very different. So why not reinvent them?
Practical Steps to Break Free in 2025
Step 1: Audit Your Systems
List the processes and traditions your company still uses. Ask why each exists.
Step 2: Identify the Dead Weight
If no one can explain the “why,” or if the reason no longer applies, flag it.
Step 3: Start Small
Pilot new approaches in one team, department, or region.
Step 4: Empower Outsiders
Bring in an innovation keynote speaker or consultant to offer fresh perspective.
Step 5: Celebrate Change
Reward teams that question systems and test new ideas—even if they don’t all succeed.
The Fun Side of Innovation in 2025
Innovation doesn’t always have to feel heavy or intimidating. In fact, some of the best breakthroughs happen when leaders play, experiment, and treat failure as a learning lab.
Want proof? Some of the world’s biggest companies—think Google, LEGO, or Netflix—encourage their teams to experiment freely. The failures are celebrated because they pave the way for better solutions.
Final Thoughts: Innovation Is a Choice
In 2025, the world doesn’t slow down for businesses stuck in the past. The phrase “that’s the way it’s always been done” is no longer harmless—it’s a liability.
Innovation isn’t just about tech or strategy. It’s about mindset. It’s about questioning, experimenting, and refusing to let yesterday’s answers limit tomorrow’s possibilities.
If you want to kill innovation, cling tightly to the old ways.
But if you want to grow, evolve, and thrive—start asking “Why?” today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Killing Innovation
Why is “that’s the way it’s always been done” harmful to innovation?
Because it shuts down curiosity and questioning. When organizations rely on tradition without evaluating its relevance, they miss opportunities to improve, adapt, and stay competitive.
How can I spot outdated systems in my business?
Look for processes that no one can clearly explain the purpose of. If a system exists only because “we’ve always done it that way,” it’s a red flag that it needs review.
Is changing a long-standing process always necessary?
Not always. Some traditions or systems still serve their purpose effectively. The goal isn’t change for its own sake—it’s about evaluating whether the old system is still the best option today.
Why do employees resist change even when it’s beneficial?
Fear of failure, comfort with routine, and lack of clarity about the benefits all play a role. People also worry that new systems could make their roles harder or even eliminate them.
How can leaders encourage innovation in 2025?
Leaders should foster a culture of experimentation, reward teams for testing new ideas (even when they fail), and challenge outdated thinking by asking “why not?” instead of “why?”
What role does an innovation keynote speaker play?
An innovation keynote speaker brings fresh perspective, challenges assumptions, and provides real-world strategies for breaking free of “always been done” mindsets. They spark conversations that lead to lasting change.
What are examples of modern “innovation killers”?
Examples include rigid dress codes, mandatory office hours, outdated approval chains, and paper-heavy systems. These are relics of past eras that slow down progress today.
How can businesses balance tradition and innovation?
By identifying which traditions add cultural or practical value and which hold the company back. The best businesses keep meaningful traditions while updating systems that no longer serve their purpose.
Can small businesses benefit from questioning old systems?
Absolutely. In fact, small businesses often have the advantage of being more agile. Challenging old habits can open the door to efficiencies, cost savings, and fresh opportunities.
What is the first step to stop killing innovation in an organization?
Start by asking “why?” about every major system or process. If the only answer is “that’s the way it’s always been done,” it’s time to test whether a better approach exists.