Standards vs Defaults: Understanding the Difference

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Standards and defaults are discussed in terms of how we approach tasks. Standards are the agreed-upon way of doing things, while defaults are the starting point for those who don't know better. Different levels of mastery exist, from following the rules to breaking them and eventually reinventing the art form. Cultures that embrace defaults allow for experimentation and learning. Successful deviations from the default can be incorporated into the overall approach over time, evolving the standard.

What if you could change the way your company operates, even if you’re not the CEO? Aaron Dignan believes it’s possible, and in this episode he’s offering a wealth of insights into how organizations are run, the perils of stagnant bureaucracy, and all the various hurdles keeping us from doing our best work.

As the founder of The Ready - a global organizational transformation and coaching practice - Dignan helps companies large and small adopt new forms of self-organization and dynamic teaming. He’s worked with clients such as American Express, Microsoft, Citibank, Hyatt, Johnson & Johnson, Airbnb, and Sweetgreen. He’s also an active angel investor who helps build partnerships between the startups and end-ups he advises. Dignan is also the author of Brave New Work, co-host of the Brave New Work podcast and founder of Murmur.

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