Healing Scar Tissue In Your Organization

by | Jan 30, 2025 | Leadership

How do you break up scar tissue in your organization?   

From my perspective, scar tissue in an organization can take many forms. It can be complacency. It can be entitlement. It can be the mindset of “this is how we’ve always done things.” Personally, I can’t stand that kind of thinking. All of this can become scar tissue in your organization. The tricky part? It’s easy to get stuck in these patterns without even realizing it.  

As leaders, it’s our job to help break up those patterns—to “unstick” the organization. But how do you do that?  

Here’s an example. Last fall, I pulled a hamstring while trying to learn how to wake surf. It’s been healing well, but there’s still some lingering pain. My chiropractor explained that while the hamstring has healed, scar tissue has built up, making the muscle tight. He worked on it by applying deep pressure with his elbows and fists. Honestly, it hurt. It was painful, but it worked. The pressure broke up the scar tissue, and I felt relief.  

That’s exactly how I think about breaking up scar tissue in an organization. You have to apply pressure. Sometimes, that pressure is uncomfortable—not overwhelming, but enough to get people’s attention.  

One way I do this is by making polarizing statements. I’ll take a strong position that’s completely opposite of where we’re currently stuck. The goal isn’t to offend or to be inappropriate. Instead, it creates a moment of shock or surprise that gets people thinking differently. For example, I might challenge a deeply rooted belief or process in a bold way just to spark a new perspective.  

It’s important to handle this carefully. The statements should never cross boundaries or be disrespectful. They’re simply bold enough to grab attention and help people see things from a fresh angle. This technique can be uncomfortable for the team at first, but it often shakes things loose and gets us moving in the right direction.  

This is how I approach breaking up organizational scar tissue. What about you? How do you tackle this in your team or company?

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About Me

I am the President & CEO of Service Express, a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For. Service Express has averaged double digit growth every year since 2001.

We attribute our success to a unique corporate culture that we call The Service Express Way. I am a member of the Young President Organization and sit on the Board of the Spectrum Health Foundation.