In my family, we have a ritual in which we try to be the first to wish each other Happy New Month. The tradition is so strong that those who dare to marry into the family are quickly usurped into the ritual. The funny thing is that there is no prize, no keeping of a tally, no punishment or hazing is brought onto the losers. It is simply a monthly inter-family burst of friendly competitiveness that is forgotten on the 2nd of every month. The joy is in the execution of the tradition, win or lose.
There is a value in tradition and ritual in families and in organizations. Participating in traditions and rituals are one of the ways we feel a part of the group. They are also ways to pass on organizational values and beliefs and to make the group, whether its a family or a company, a unique and special group.
But traditions and rituals can have a dark side. From an organizational standpoint, traditions can stand in the way of change and progress. Any one who has tried to enact significant change in an organization quickly learns about the traditions or sacred cows that can't be touched.
"We've always done it that way!" or "We've NEVER done that before!" are telltale signs that your organization has tradition-itis. The same qualities that make for a charming and endearing tradition when they are a simple ritual like providing employees a cupcake on their birthday or trying to wish your sister "Happy New Month" before she wishes you the same, can be maddening if you are trying to go against the grain of a tradition and enact some change.
Organizations, it turns out, crave structure and organizations. Structure and organization are perfect breeding grounds for traditions and rituals.
The best way to break through traditions that have become roadblocks is by getting buy-in for the change by the same people who are practicing the traditions. Through information and conversation, it is possible to get past people's strongly held beliefs and traditions. While that is much easier to type than it is to do, it is possible to enact change and who knows, maybe even create some new traditions!
In the meantime, Happy New Month! And if any of my family are reading this, I got you this month!
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