We as humans think complacency is good because it’s status quo. Our lizard brains want us to stay as we are. It’s safe there, not risky.

The problem is that sometimes where we are is not the best place for us to be. But the pain of being where we are has to outweigh the pain of changing.

Therefore, often, we stay in complacency. We stay in status quo because it’s easier to do so.

Or so it seems.

Almost two years ago exactly, we moved from a house we had lived in for nine years and moved to a new and oh-so-much better house. As I was utterly overwhelmed with all that needed be done, though, I remember questioning why we were doing this… even though I knew the move, the change, would be for the better.

That is the lure, the lie, of complacency. Let us convince ourselves that it is much better where we are and not worth it to change. Let us be soothed to this numb state.

And when you stay in that numb state and you never move from it, you may realize that you aren’t just numb, you are paralyzed.

This isn’t only true for humans. Organizations can also fall prey to complacency. “We’ve always done it that way.” “We don’t need to change.” “Innovation is for companies like Apple, not us.” “We’re fine.”

If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that we must adapt in order to survive. While COVID came with its own host of issues and required changes, it also blew the lid off problems that had been simmering below the surface, perhaps for years.

Your organization must embrace innovation, creativity, change, and adaptation. Otherwise, complacency could come kick you in the behind in the very near future.

Complacency truly is the death knell for an organism, whether that be a human or an organization.

Where are you being complacent? What are you ignoring? Where do you need to grow, to change, to move, to adapt?