It Is What It Is ... Until It Isn’t
- James Stark
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 8
Some things never change, but most things do. Stay curious.
We’ve all heard the phrase: “It is what it is.”
It sounds practical—like a grounded acceptance of reality. But in operations and leadership, that phrase can quietly limit our thinking. It’s often used when we hit resistance or complexity. It feels like a full stop when what we need is a comma—a moment to step back, reframe, then push forward.
What Leaders Unintentionally Communicate
When someone at the helm says, “It is what it is,” they may have hit their ceiling, expressing fatigue, frustration, or resignation. But to the team, it can land as: “Don’t bother trying. This won’t change.”
Those responsible for driving execution, integrating teams, and delivering performance set the tone for action—or inaction. When we signal that improvement is off the table, people disengage.
Instead, leaders should model clear-eyed realism without shutting the door to solutions.
The Stone Wheel Analogy
Picture this: You meet a Stone Age tribe. They’ve invented the wheel—an amazing innovation.
A young innovator proposes improvements—lighter materials, smoother rotation. But the elder leader interrupts: “Why 'reinvent the wheel'? It is what it is.”
Fast forward. A jetliner prepares to land at a busy airport on stone wheels. What once worked is now dangerously outdated.
Operational environments shift. What worked before isn’t always what’s needed now. That’s why we adapt.
Shift the Language, Shift the Culture
When something isn’t working, try saying:
“Based on current performance and return, let’s realign where we can make the biggest impact.”
This communicates leadership, not defeat. It tells your team: "We’re still moving, and we’re focused on what matters most."
Why Your Words Matter
If you’re managing across functions and accountable for delivering results, your words have weight. Language like “It is what it is” can become a cultural bottleneck, especially when those around you take their cues from your mindset.
Try reframing:
“What’s working—and what needs to evolve?”
“Is this still the right tool, the right process, the right mindset?”
“Where do we need to flex next?”
These kinds of questions reinvigorate focus, uncover blind spots, and keep teams aligned with outcomes.
Closing the Gap
Some constants don’t change. But most things do. And in operational leadership, success goes to those who sense change early and adapt decisively.
So, ask yourself: “Am I anchoring us to what used to work—or guiding us toward what will?”
Strong leaders don’t just accept reality. They adjust to it, shape it, and move their teams through it.
Stay curious. Stay determined. Keep driving forward.