Dumb

Somehow dumb things are invisible to smart people. From the outside their dumb decisions, requirements or methods are so obviously dumb. It’s like trying to read the label from the inside of the can.

Dumb things are hidden in the status quo. “We’ve always done it this way.” Critical thinking gets sidelined and things stay dumb.

There is a special value to the new tribe member. The value is their not being influenced by the status quo. They have fresh, smart eyes that cut through the dumb. Ask the new guy to keep a list of the dumb things he sees in the first 90 days. Then, have them be a part of fixing it. 

Hat tip to Ari Weinzweig and Musk