How to Break Destructive Patterns
Those who can’t or won’t see patterns are doomed to repeat the past. Ignore patterns and yesterday’s decisions become tomorrow’s destiny.
Patterns, not problems, will ruin your business.
Dr. Henry Cloud
Pattern recognition may be the least discussed and most neglected leadership skill. Yet, pattern recognition informs plans, enables innovation, and empowers decision making.
Everyone has experience, wise leaders learn from it.
Learning from experience is the ability
to see and acknowledge patterns.
Constant frustration means you’re in patterns you can’t or won’t see. Blindness to patterns happens when you:
- Define yourself by results. When I defined myself by results, I ignored the reason for disappointing results and tried faster and harder. Frustration!
- Need another’s approval to bolster your worth. Think of those who remain in abusive relationships.
- Misapply experiences from the past. Success in one context doesn’t guarantee success in another. Problems at JC Penny may illustrate this dangerous pattern.
The real problem is the pattern:
In, “Boundaries for Leaders,” Dr. Henry Cloud explains how successful leaders see repeated problems as the problem. “Problems aren’t the issue. Problems are the work.” The problem is repeated problems – patterns.
Breaking patterns:
In yesterday’s conference call, Dr. Cloud explained that breaking patterns often involves creating structure. The board may meet with you every month rather than quarterly, for example.
Secondly, pattern busting often requires bringing in the outside. Hire a coach, find a mentor, visit the competition, or interact with fresh leaders.
Thirdly, instigate vigorous debate. Gather frontline employees and have them explain the reasons your organization is stuck, for example.
Patterns, when addressed as if they were only a problem to be solved, remain. Dr. Henry Cloud
Bonus material:
My conversation with Dr. Cloud on the difference between problems and patterns (5:45).
How can leaders get better at seeing and breaking negative patterns?
Wow – this so talks to me
Pattern recognition is so part of me!
Love it!
How can leaders get better at seeing and breaking negative patterns?
Great conference call yesterday, Dan.
Leaders can get better at seeing patterns by observing themselves, and figuring out what they do out of conscious thought, vs routine or habit. Then they can begin to look at the larger picture around them.
Once you can begin to see a pattern, as a leader, your next step is to determine whether it is working for or against the goal or vision. If it is working for the goal, can it be made better? If is is working against, figure out why you have “always done it that way,” and work to change it.
I know that Einstein was speaking on a much grander scale, but if we do the same things over and over and expect different, or in this case better results, then we are indeed insane. And once you recognize the insanity,you are a poor leader if you do not work to change it.
Martina, I love everything you write please keep sharing!
Scott
Thank you very much Scott. I am flattered. 🙂 Have a great day.
Hi Martina,
I don’t think that Einstein was speaking on a grander scale.
Artist is for example paint their paintings one brush stroke at a time. Science is the same,
Jo
Thank you Martina…
Ditto to Scott!
Love the idea that pattern recognition includes examining habits or routines. Easier said than done.
When it comes to negative patterns, people don’t set out to destroy their success, but bad – counter productive – habits do just that.
Cheers
Yes, Dan. It is a challenge to slow down, step outside of our patterns and see them clearly. But if what you are doing over and over and over isn’t getting the results you had hoped for, it is time to look deeper.
Thanks.
Well Dan,
this is a Paradigm Shifter’s wheelhouse and I am one of those!
Dr Cloud sounds like he has a handle on it I would just add one step back.
Patterns, yes, but those patterns are first thoughts. Start there! Recommend that like I would if we were skydiving and I suggested sincerely you open that thing as we leap OUT!!!! WWEEEEEEE!
Everywhere he says patterns I see thoughts. That is where everything starts SO the best place to effect change is where…….drumroll….the start!.
Quite DIFFICULT when you ponder on the plethera of thoughts we have during the day.
During the day since I am such a simple fella I only got to gatekeep on about 5. I know it is tougher for other humans with abundantly more and complex thoughts than I have to manage.
With enough want to(that ole why thingy Dan) and discipline there is hope even for the most messed up uncontrolled unaware thinker. Got to break that bronco or you never know what you are gonna get.
Thoughts on a regular basis are not best left to freely associate. The equipment we have been entrusted with works no matter how it is used. Ooopppsss!!! Works much better for desired results if you get that sucker trained.
So for me I use thoughts when Doc Cloud says patterns cause patterns are succesive thoughts. Change a life, change thought patterns. Why not yours?
Working for me obviously, think it will work for you, not saying it will but just remember, your response are your thoughts about it. Duh!
Change a life, maybe yours, change your thought patterns! I have and it is SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shifterp (Scott) OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Scott.
I’ve thought a lot about changing thoughts. I don’t often have a titles for tomorrow’s blog post in mind but today I wrote on my white board: “How to change Someone’s thinking”
Thoughts lead to actions, actions to habits, habits to destiny. (I don’t know who said that first…
Cheers
James Allen. As a Man Thinketh
Good starting place.
Oh yeah I been doing this awhile, never changed anyone’s mind yet!
Figured out it don’t work that way.
What I can do is share from personal experience what has worked and is working for me. Winning!!!!
Provide them with information so THEY can make a quality decision. Their thoughts, their decision.
Evangelism bad, Attraction good!
I keep telling y’all that AA Big Book is a hum dinger concerning human relations but its y’all’s decision! I am living the benefits! May 22. 29 years!!
11 days 52 sales. Just sharing a little information about that inside job thingy!!!!
Looking forward to what you share tomorrow Dan couple of pretty pretty good reference manuals I just laid on you. Just saying….
The Dude Continues to Abide and I strive to Connect to the goodness of those I meet.
I am SP
Thanks Dan!
We are starting a new pattern of weekly communicating as an entire company this morning! A team of 18 spread over 250 miles. Its like herding cats spread out that far. This post was timely as I’m preparing to address the purpose of “on purpose” communication and that is a pattern we must fight to correct if we want to become the kind of company that goes from good to Great!
Keep up the good work… I’m a young 30something business owner that need to continually hear this kind of message. Trust me… everything in our culture cast entrepreneurs as greedy villains, instead of passionate people who want to change the world for the better through our businesses.
Building What Matters
Adam Steck
Thank you Adam.
Congrats on developing NEW patterns. New patters create new futures! Powerful
Best success.
BTW… you don’t seem like a greedy villain.
Dear Dan,
Patterns decide outcomes. Good patterns decide positive outcome and vice- versa. It is true that most of the people tend to ignore pattern and that is why they make repeated mistakes. They attribute their failure to so many things, like luck, lack of opportunity or like that. They do not look within and before to see whether they follow the right path. But it is easier said than done. When people becomes successful, they tend to follow the path for future direction. They do not generally analyze, because it is proven.I mean to say, when similar pattern or effort makes a person successful , what is reason he should question his pattern. I think, people should not take anything guaranteed. So, you are right that past success can not determine future success. So, we need broader views to review out pattern.
Negative patters are easier to track than positive pattern. Positive pattern makes a person more blind than negative pattern. So, successful pattern needs more caution. I think, negative pattern is more about not accepting our own weakness. People also too much believe in self judgement. Such people generally do not consult or take suggestions. So, negative pattern people should be more open, flexible and ready to take others suggestions to evaluate their own decisions. This could be useful to break negative pattern. I also believe that negative patters are more about habits and inertia, that is hard to delayer.
Thank you Ajay.
Great insights here.
Absolutely love the two lead sentences you typed.
Patterns decide outcomes. And, Negative patters are easier to track than positive patterns. Ka Pow
How can leaders can get better at seeing and breaking negative patterns?
Great question, and I think that in itself is the answer.
Ask the right questions of the right people.
“Thirdly, instigate vigorous debate. Gather frontline employees and have them explain the reasons your organization is stuck, for example.”
So true…if we don’t we definitely STAY stuck!
Would love this book 🙂
Dan,
Great interaction yesterday with Dr. Cloud. He’s one of my favorites. Always extremely on target, practical and simple enough to put concepts into action immediately. Through him I have discovered your blog. Plan on checking it out each day.
Hi! Great article! One thing of interest for myself being a solo business owner would be the question of: when you are flying solo, how do you find the patterns you need to break? What are the signals from others and that you see in yourself? I try to shake things up as much as possible. I’m also always looking for new ideas, talking to different people, going to networking events when I can. I really don’t have anybody else to bounce ideas off of sometimes. I try to focus on what I’m doing “right,” but then someone else comes along and says do you realize you’re also doing X,Y, and Z? Would love some feedback! Thanks!
Analyzing the patterns allows you to dig deeper to find the root cause(s) of the problem or the event. You must analyze the patterns in order to make changes to the infrastructure. Through innovative change new patterns will be produced and new events will be observed.
Dear Dan,
An excellent thought-provoking post which pushes every reader and the leader within to value the need of bringing positive changes in thought and implementation process for a steady progress.
The gist of Dr. Cloud’s sayings is, ‘Break the unproductive pattern to ensure continuous progress.’ A hard fact that every leader needs to believe and practice.
Creative ideas fueled by innovation or a willingness to bring corrections based on business/market intelligence technique is the right way to eliminate things which are more like obstacles in the path of success. One needs to have right identification of those undesired elements and have the courage to remove the same after the necessary evaluation and collecting the opinion of core team of decision-makers. Consult the right audience like consultants, competition, middlemen, customers, employees etc. and listen to their view points in accepting the weaknesses and limitations that can hinder the final outcome. Customer satisfaction remains the ultimate goal by with all positive things in its place.
A successful leader will always encourage the creativity and openness among all people who are part of the service provider’s group and will thrive by meeting the expectations of users’ group. This is possible only with the basic will to change and trying new & better things to remain competitive all the time.
Lot of good learning and practical tips to ensure continuous progress on the path of desired success.
The problem of patterns isn’t just with negative patterns. When we develop systems that make things work, the temptation is to set our organizations on auto-pilot and let it coast. The problem is, coasting never generates continued momentum– unless you’re headed down a hill or off a cliff!
A colleague of mine was just telling us about Dr. Henry Cloud’s new book just last week… sounds like I need to add it to my ‘to read’ list!
Great Post Dan and Im looking forward to reading Dr Henry’s book. A lot of what’s being said here is, of course, common sense. However without the pattern recognition and strategies to deal (consciously!), making progress becomes more uncommon! Thanks for sharing your (and Dr Henry’s) wisdom with us !
This information is life changing!! I know this information is intended for CEO’s, executives and leaders but as the CEO of my home this is just what I needed for my family!!!! God is answered my prayer through this information!!! It’s easy to apply on the job to yield results but I’m more excited to apply this at home with my family!
Thank you!
Great blog post and webcast! This information is so relevant to me that you know it is God’s timing that caused me to “tune in”. I’ve seen and read Dr. Cloud’s books over the years. I can’t wait to apply these new learnings to my career and my life!
Problems vs. patterns was my favorite part of yesterday’s presentation. It was a lightbulb moment that I really identified with. I am looking forward to Dr. Clouds book being available. It will be a buy from me.
I really enjoyed the conference call, Set Boundaries, Extend Results.
I have been on a real learning curve in the last few years; a time of growth and discovery. The information on boundaries for leaders, especially knowing the difference between a problem and a pattern is so helpful, in work and personal life. “Problems are normal. Patterns need to be addressed.” I will remember that. What I have especially learned in reading Dr. Cloud’s and Dr. Townsend’s books, and in Dan Rockwell’s conference call with Dr. Cloud, is the absolute importance of relationship, as opposed to isolation. So true. Also, I liked learning that our brains need oxygen, glucose and…relationship. I worked as a teacher many years ago, in a small town that I was new to, and while I couldn’t put it in so many words at the time, I can see now that I was isolated, and it affected my work and health. So I need to stay connected, and seek out safe people. They are out there, and we need to learn to recognize them. Thank you for telling leaders to put boundaries on their own isolation, to open up, and get energy from the outside. So important! I am currently a volunteer coordinator of group leaders who lead small faith-sharing groups in our church, and the information given in the conference call is so valuable. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all that you do. I feel God’s blessing through you.
The only proven method to measure, quantify and control patterns in any company or organization is “PIM” (Pattern Interpretrion and Management) from FACTOR+. When applied properly, the effects are uninmaginable. Negative patterns are indeed the business problem, but more importantly, positive patterns are any organization’s main asset.