Interchangeable Parts

With the industrial revolution came a concept which radically changed the way we work:

Interchangeable Parts.

And, it appears that we used this principle everywhere.

• Standardized parts. A Phillip’s Screwdriver will work the same as any other Phillip’s Screwdriver.
• Standardized processes. This division will act exactly the same as this division to enable efficiency.
• Standardized roles. A sales rep will act exactly like this other sales rep.
• Standardized education. To maximize efficiency, let’s ensure we have a standardized workforce so every business has access to swappable labor.

As efficiency rises, costs decrease, which is a good thing right?

Absolutely… until something disruptive comes along.

When everything is made to conform to the same standard, the ability to see, prepare, adapt, and take advantage of disruptive changes is extraordinarily limited.

How do you deal with that? Standardize to get efficiencies to allow your team to have time. Time to look past their work. Time to un-standardize themselves. Time to become something more than a fleshy, inefficient robot.

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