Some phrases should come with a warning label. And “We’ve always done it this way” might be the most dangerous one in business.

On the surface, it sounds harmless. Maybe even comforting. A nod to tradition, consistency, and muscle memory.

But beneath that calm exterior? A landmine for innovation, growth, and operational efficiency. 

What ‘We’ve Always Done It This Way’ Actually Costs You

1. Lost revenue opportunities

When businesses cling to outdated systems or processes, they often miss out on new revenue streams. A 2023 McKinsey report found that companies that prioritize continuous transformation outperform peers by 2.4x in revenue growth. Not because they work harder—because they adapt faster.

2. Employee disengagement

Nothing stifles creativity faster than resistance to change. According to Gallup, only 32% of U.S. employees feel engaged at work, and a major factor is feeling like their ideas won’t lead to real change. When people constantly hit walls of “that’s not how we do it,” they stop trying.

3. Hidden operational inefficiencies

Legacy processes tend to be patched together over time—band-aids over band-aids. You might not even see the inefficiencies anymore because they’ve become normalized. But IDC estimates that companies lose 20-30% of revenue each year due to inefficiencies. That’s a painful price for doing things “the usual way.”

So… What Should You Do Instead?

We’re not saying throw tradition out the window. But if you’re serious about growing, scaling, or just staying competitive, you have to create space for questioning the status quo.

Ask:

• Why did we start doing it this way?

• Is this process still aligned with our current goals?

• Could a new approach unlock more value?

Change doesn’t have to be disruptive. In fact, the smartest organizations treat it like a habit, not a one-time event.

Every time you say “We’ve always done it this way,” you might be closing the door on better margins, happier teams, and smarter decisions.

At Altruas, we help organizations get curious again—connecting strategy to execution so you can move forward with clarity (not just legacy thinking). Because growth rarely lives in the comfort zone.