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The Cost of Doing Nothing

April 3, 2023

When we’re faced with a deci­sion to make, we usu­al­ly spend time ana­lyz­ing the pros and cons. Research tells us that we’re more moti­vat­ed by fear of pain, loss and the down­side of things than the ben­e­fits or pos­i­tive rea­sons do something.

When a group of CEOs, exec­u­tives and advi­sors and I talked about this in a recent con­ver­sa­tion, some­one shared anoth­er option: the idea that, instead of doing some­thing, we do nothing.

Rarely do we ana­lyze what would happen.

Quick Con­text

So, here’s a sim­ple ques­tion to con­sid­er for a sit­u­a­tion you’re in:

If I do noth­ing, what’s it going to be like in five years?

The answer quick­ly gives you con­text. Will there be a seri­ous impact, or none?

Tak­ing it fur­ther, if you’re still unsure, ask:

What would be the best-case sce­nario? How like­ly is that?

What would be the worst-case sce­nario? How like­ly is that?

These ques­tions are good for any sit­u­a­tion: deci­sions about key employ­ees, cus­tomer invest­ments or finances, health and relationships.

So, instead of just look­ing at the pros and cons, con­sid­er what could hap­pen if you made no deci­sion at all. Could be interesting!

The Chal­lenge

  • Instead of just think­ing about the pos­i­tives or neg­a­tives about doing some­thing, think about the mag­ni­tude of not doing anything.

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About Lawrence & Co.
Lawrence & Co. is a growth strategy and leadership advisory firm that helps mid-market companies achieve lasting, reliable growth. Our Growth Management System turns 30 years of experience into practical steps that drive clarity, alignment, and performance—so leaders can grow faster, with less friction, and greater confidence.

About Kevin Lawrence
Kevin Lawrence has spent three decades helping companies scale from tens of millions to hundreds of millions in revenue. He works side-by-side with CEOs and leadership teams across North America, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Europe, bringing real-world insights from hands-on experience. Kevin is the author of Your Oxygen Mask First, a book of 17 habits to help high-performing leaders grow sustainably while protecting their mental health and resilience. He also contributed to Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0). Based in Vancouver, he leads Lawrence & Co, a boutique firm of growth advisors.