"It is not well to make great changes by severe means unless the end really justifies the measure"

Sometimes, making big changes brutally isn't the best move unless there's a darn good reason for it. Imagine you're at a coffee shop with a friend, and you’re discussing a major shake-up at work. Your friend, let’s call her Anna, is all fired up about this new policy her boss has introduced. It’s a complete overhaul of the team's workflow, introduced abruptly and enforced with some pretty harsh rules. Anna's frustrated because the change feels extreme, and she's not convinced it’s necessary.

The core idea here is simple: don’t go overboard with drastic changes unless there’s a compelling reason to do so. It’s all about balance and justification. When you’re about to overhaul something significant, whether it’s in your personal life, a project, or a team dynamic, you’ve got to weigh the end goal against the disruption it’s going to cause. If the payoff isn’t worth the upheaval, it might be wiser to reconsider the approach.

Let’s talk historical context for a second. This kind of thinking isn’t new. Think back to major historical events like the French Revolution. The revolutionaries made massive changes to the French political system, but they did it with a lot of violence and upheaval. While they aimed for liberty and equality, the severe methods they used led to years of instability and bloodshed. Was the end goal worth the chaos and suffering? That’s still debated today.

Now, picture a company deciding to completely restructure its management system. They do it overnight, firing half the managers without notice and implementing new, rigid procedures. The employees are left stressed and directionless. Productivity plummets, morale tanks, and the company struggles. The severe measures didn’t justify the end result because the way the changes were made caused more harm than good.

So, what’s the takeaway? If you’re in a position where you need to make big changes, think carefully. Ask yourself: Is this drastic action really necessary? Is there a less severe way to achieve the same goal? Weigh the pros and cons. Sometimes, gradual changes or more considerate approaches can lead to better outcomes without causing unnecessary pain or resistance.

Imagine you’re the coach of a high school basketball team. Your team’s got talent, but they’re not performing well. You could push them through grueling, punishing training sessions every day, hoping to break them and rebuild them stronger. But there’s a risk they might burn out or lose their love for the game. Instead, you could introduce incremental changes—focusing on building their skills and confidence bit by bit, encouraging them, and fostering teamwork. Over time, they improve, and the results start to show. The end goal is achieved, and the team’s spirit remains intact.

In your own life, consider this approach whenever you’re faced with a need for change. Whether it’s breaking a bad habit, altering a routine, or implementing a new strategy at work, take a step back. Evaluate if the drastic measures are truly justified or if there’s a gentler, more effective way to reach your goal. By doing so, you’re not only more likely to succeed, but you’ll also maintain harmony and avoid unnecessary strife in the process.