Sometimes, the way things are has less to do with logic and more to do with legacy. Without realizing it, routines take hold—not because they’re useful, but because they’ve gone unquestioned for too long. A story about monkeys, a ladder, and a fire hose captures the quiet absurdity of inherited behavior, especially in organizations. Add in small daily inefficiencies and layers of unchallenged habits, and you might find yourself doing things no one can even explain. The challenge is learning to pause, ask why, and maybe stop the stupid before it multiplies.

Proactive Problem Solving, by Doug Hall