Stop Perfecting the Pointless

Happy Thursday,

With AI and automation spreading across all corners of business, teams are hell-bent on optimising every business process in sight. But what's the value of automating or tidying up something that shouldn't exist in the first place? Yet that's exactly what we do, because our brain is wired to crave it. As leaders, we need to be careful. Because right now there's a whole segment of the AI industry ready to sell you solutions for a problem you don't have and a process you don't need. Let's unplug and dig in.

🧠 LEARN something.

This pattern shows up everywhere. We fall in love with system-building because it gives us a sense of progress, even when nothing meaningful comes from it. You've probably encountered a process that exists for process's sake. You follow the steps, but deep down you're not sure what value it adds. You're not alone. In fact, our brains are wired for this. Psychologists call it cognitive closure: we gravitate toward tidy systems over messy uncertainty because order gives us the illusion of control. Kahneman's work on cognitive load also shows that we default to whatever path requires the least thinking. More importantly, systems and efficiency tools also deliver something irresistible, a sense of progress, which is a strong motivator. This urge is perfectly human. So when a AI tool or system promises to make life easy, our brains light up and we fall for the promise of more speed, simplicity, and efficiency.

But technology only optimises whatever already exists, and therein lies the challenge. When efficiency and optimisation become the priority, teams stop asking critical questions like: Why are we doing this in the first place? What purpose does this process serve? What value is it adding? The more sophisticated the tech solution or system becomes, the easier it is to mistake activity and progress, for real value. If we aren’t careful, we end up building elegant, efficient systems around work that should have been questioned, simplified, or stopped altogether. The more you invest in the creating those efficiencies, the harder it is to challenge them down the track. Ultimately, “efficiency” (not outcome) becomes the success measure, and we end up celebrating improvements in things that shoulde’t be done in the first place.

🤔 REFLECT on an idea.

Gates cuts straight to the trap many teams fall into. When a process is clunky or unclear, adding automation won’t save it. It just multiplies the mess. The real win is simplifying first, then automating what remains. Clean the system before you speed it up. A timely reminder as we step deeper into the age of agentic AI and automations.

😊 SMILE a little.

Finally, a tool that helps us get nothing done more efficiently, and feel great about it in the process. 😄

✅ DO IT to get results.

The most effective way to find real efficiency is not by subscribing to the latest tool or AI-automated life planner, but rather by saying no and eliminating the non-essentials. That way, you create space and energy for what truly matters.

To put this into action, use the lean philosophy of seiri, which basically translates to “If you don’t need it, remove it. If you’re not sure, remove it temporarily.” Ask your team: “what’s one thing we could do without?” Then temporarily stop doing it for 30 days to see what happens. If you miss it dearly, you can bring it back. If the workaround is better, keep the work around. If no one missed it and the business kept going anyway, then you have your answer.

🌱 How we can support you and your team.

We provide strategic leadership solutions tailored to align with your business strategy, size, and budget. We can support your with:

• 1:1 Leadership and Performance Coaching

• Team Coaching, for high performing teams

• 1:1 Health & Lifestyle Coaching for busy stressed leaders.

• Workshops, offsites and team development.

• Or our flagship individual Leadership Coaching Programs.

Kia pai tō wiki

Kenny Bhosale

CEO & Founder, The Bridge Leaders