Cant vs Wont- The Hidden Cost of Corporate Constraints

From 9 to 5 Wellness · 47:31

Show by Aesha Tahir

How many of the walls you hit at work are real, and how many are choices dressed up as constraints? In this episode of 9 to 5 Wellness, Aesha Tahir sits down with innovation coach JL Heather, co-founder and managing partner of Centered and creator of the Can't Culture Framework, to unpack the quiet, often unintentional way teams and leaders stop trying.JL has spent 20+ years coaching senior leaders at Ford, Pfizer, T-Mobile, Wendy's, GE and HP. He shares how one stalled product launch led him to name "can't culture," why over 70% of organizational transformations fail, and a simple three-question filter for telling a true can't from a won't or a haven't. Along the way: a Beanie Baby crisis at a McDonald's drive-thru, the hidden costs of saying yes versus no, and two practical exercises any leader can start this week.Guest: JL Heather — co-author of The Agile Code and Breakthrough Innovation, co-host of the Breakthrough Innovation Podcast, ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), and Leadership Circle Profile practitioner.Time Markers00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup02:19 Meet JL Heather03:47 Why Cant Culture Matters05:04 Defining Cant Culture06:40 Choices Before Reasons09:46 Constraints and Testing10:37 Beanie Babies Lesson15:31 Cant Wont Havent Framework20:28 Bureaucratic Mass Momentum22:23 Generations and Havent Gaps24:05 Diversity Beyond Generations25:34 Gen Z Innovation Pushback27:13 Why Cant Kills Companies28:36 Digging Into The Why29:59 Bridge The Generational Gap31:50 Leaders Punish Innovation33:03 Process And Metrics Traps36:05 Make Yes Cheaper37:03 Spot Cant Culture Fast39:16 Two Practical Leader Tips42:41 Curiosity Walk Benefits44:00 BCG Innovation Reality Check44:51 Where To Find JL45:45 Final Thoughts On Cant CultureTry this weekCatch one can't a day (or a week). Write down a "can't moment" in as much detail as you can, even if nobody used the word. Later, pick it apart: Is it impossible? If not, who owns the decision? If no one does, why haven't we done it, and what would it take?Ask the short-form question. The next time you hear a constraint in a meeting, ask: "Is that a can't, a won't, or a haven't?"Give every won't an owner and a review date. Name the decider and revisit the decision quarterly or annually.Take a curiosity walk with a peer (not a direct report). Pick a somewhat emotionally charged work issue and walk 20 minutes: 10 out, 10 back. On the way out, one person shares their struggle while the other only asks questions. No suggestions, and no suggestions hidden inside questions. Switch roles on the way back. Bonus points for walking outdoors in nature. JL recommends repeating it once a quarter.Watch your body language when someone pushes back or brings you a problem. Your reaction teaches the whole team what's safe to say.Resources and linksConnect with JL HeatherLinkedIn: JL Heather (add profile link)Centered: centered.workSpeaking and podcast appearances: jlheather.comBooks: The Agile Code and Breakthrough InnovationPodcast: Breakthrough Innovation PodcastMentioned in this episodeThe Can't Culture Framework and the CHOOSE framework ("C" = catch the can't)Chamberlin, Newton & LePine (2017): research on promotive vs. prohibitive voiceResearch on learned helplessnessThe "bureaucratic mass index"BCG 2024 innovation data: 83% rank innovation a top-three priority; 3% are ready to deliverConnect with Aesha Tahir and 9 to 5 WellnessWebsite: 9to5wellness.comPersonal site: aeshatahir.comLinkedIn: Aesha TahirPartner with the show: Brand partnershipsWatch the video episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Send us Fan Mail🌟 🌟 🌟 If you liked this episode and would like to learn more about wellness training and workshops offered by 9 to 5 Wellness, email us at [email protected]. You can learn more about our programs at: https://toneandstrengthen.com/workshops-trainings/. 🌟 🌟 🌟My passion is helping organizations create a culture of wellness, and I do this by setting up health programs that prioritize the most important asset they've got – their employees. Cheers to a healthier and happier journey ahead!🌟 🌟 🌟 You can learn more about ME- the host at https://www.aeshatahir.com Follow me on IG and LI to learn morehttps://www.instagram.com/tone_and_strengthen/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aeshatahir/

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