What Could Go Wrong? – Your Shot of Fearless Culture #369

Where change agents find their weekly dose of culture insights and exercises, one topic at a time.

Mar 19, 2025

What could go wrong?

Usually, more than you think – and in ways you don’t expect.

Most teams don’t crash because of a single, catastrophic event.

Instead, they unravel gradually, then suddenly – as Ernest Hemingway wrote about going bankrupt.

One overlooked issue becomes the norm. A questionable decision goes unchallenged. By the time the cracks are visible, it’s already too late.

While we can’t predict every problem, the warning signs are often easier to spot than we think.

Take a moment to ask yourself: What could go wrong that we aren’t seeing?

Check the How (Not) to Sink Your Ship canvas – I created it to uncover potential cracks before they become fatal.

Explore this week’s newsletter:

My latest article → How to Sink Your Ship – Or Big Idea (includes download link and facilitation guide)
Practical tips and insights to uncover what could go wrong
I want to hear from you: Join our global culture pulse

Stay fearless, my friend.

Gustavo

In Case You Missed It

→ How to Expand Your Circle of Influence

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Ask Your Team This

What’s one thing we do without questioning that might look weird – even irrational – to an outsider?

⚠️ Try It Today

Ask your team to fast-forward one year and the worst-case scenario where a project, strategy, or even the company itself has failed.

Work backward: What went wrong?

List the top five reasons they believe it happened.

Now, flip the script: Which of these behaviors exist today? What cracks can we notice that resemble worst-case scenarios? What can we do to change course?

🍦 Feed Your Curiosity

Who killed Nokia? Nokia did

Understand your customers pains and gains – they’re changing

The benefits of bureaucracy – loving red tape

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What You'll Gain:

Understand the four types of culture – and which is yours
Map your culture across multiple teams and how to consolidate it into one canvas
Master facilitation skills to lead culture change with confidence
Assess each of the building blocks of the Canvas
Define and prioritize actions for each of the building blocks
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