During a recent visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, I had a bit of an unexpected “favorite mistake” moment–not the kind where something went terribly wrong, but the kind where our assumptions quietly lead us astray until reality surprises us into learning.
When Our Mental Models Quietly Limit What We See
Like many, I had this mental model of koalas as adorable but sleepy marsupials, snoozing in trees and munching eucalyptus leaves between naps. They sleep 18 to 20 hours a day.
And then… I saw one move. Really move. Not just climb, but scramble up a tree. Not just leap, but basically fly from one branch to another. Agile. Alert. Active. Who knew?
Assumptions feel efficient–but they can quietly limit what we notice and what we believe is possible.
Does this make them “Lean Leapers“? Maybe–but more importantly, it challenged my assumptions.
Check out my short video below, with two leapers, if you want to smile (and maybe reconsider what you think you know about koalas):
Assumptions at Work: People, Processes, and “The Way We've Always Done It”
That moment reminded me of something important for all of us who care about continuous improvement: our assumptions–about people, processes, and even fuzzy-eared marsupials–can limit our understanding of what's truly possible.
Just because we've always seen someone in a certain light doesn't mean we've seen their full potential. In organizations, psychological safety determines whether that potential ever becomes visible. In our organizations, that might mean overlooking a quiet team member's problem-solving ability. Or assuming a process can't improve because “it's always been done that way.”
If we pause, observe, and maybe challenge our assumptions, we might discover hidden strengths or ideas we'd never expect.
I'll be digging into themes like these on the continuation of my AME Roadshow workshops, “Improving the Way We Improve,” with stops next week in Sydney and Auckland. If you're in the area–or just curious–I'd love for you to join me in exploring how to better unlock the talent and creativity that's already present in your organization:
Register and learn more about the AME Roadshow here.
What Might You Be Underestimating Right Now?
So here's a playful challenge, inspired by my new, more agile view of koalas:
Where might untapped potential or hidden agility exist in your organization today?
What long-held assumptions could you revisit–and maybe laugh at?
Let's keep discovering. And let's keep improving.
If you’re working to build a culture where people feel safe to speak up, solve problems, and improve every day, I’d be glad to help. Let’s talk about how to strengthen Psychological Safety and Continuous Improvement in your organization.
