Interrupting Default Patterns

[Photo by Sophi Raju on Unsplash]

I knew better.  I still forgot.

A few days ago, I submitted an invoice the old way, despite being reminded last month that there’s a new tool.

The finance team gently reminded me again.

It made me laugh, but it also made me pause.

How often do we default to old patterns, even when we know there’s a better way?  Especially when we’re moving fast, under pressure, or trying to be “efficient.”

That moment felt like a mini case study in leadership.

Because in coaching, I see this all the time:

- We know the new behavior.

- We’ve read the book.

- We’ve attended the training.

- Heck, we’ve even practiced, role-played, debriefed. 

And still, when we’re in what I call “the vortex of work”, we go back to the familiar way of responding.

- Avoiding the hard conversation.

- Polishing the slides instead of practicing the message.

- Staying quiet in that meeting (again).

It’s not because we’re not capable.

It’s because we’re human. 

We’re wired to go auto-pilot on things that have become routine - bypassing the thinking and going straight to doing.

Leadership isn’t always about knowing the right move.

It’s about noticing the old moves, then choosing with intention to do something new.

That’s what makes it powerful.

That’s what makes it a practice.

(And yes, I’ve now updated all my monthly invoice reminders with the name of the new tool.  Fingers crossed for next month! 😅)

🟢 Curious - what’s one leadership habit you’re trying to unlearn right now?