# Assume Everything Is Going Badly

Constant vigilance is key to preventing chaos in business.

- **Source:** [Forbes - Business](https://brifing.si/source/e0310925-a7af-4d4b-80a7-c80d400e49fa)
- **Published:** 2026-07-23
- **Topic:** [Leadership](https://brifing.si/c/leadership)
- **Original article:** <https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2026/07/23/assume-everything-is-going-badly/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/bfba98ac-8972-43cc-ba6f-fd1eb9bdcc33

## Chaos Is Inevitable

Assuming everything is going smoothly in business is a big mistake. Processes deteriorate over time or fail to keep up with growth. Therefore, constant monitoring and regular updates are essential to prevent chaos.

## The Jurassic Park Example

The chaos theory from Jurassic Park applies to the business world as well. While scientists thought they had everything under control, inevitable chaos ensued. Business processes can similarly lead to unexpected problems.

## The Sales Letter Example

If you create a sales letter template and tell your team not to change it, it will become unrecognizable within six months. You may end up with a text full of grammar and spelling errors. This highlights the importance of constant monitoring.

## Software Development Issues

If you don’t stay closely involved in a simple software development project, it can exceed expectations. You might face a project that takes five times longer than planned and includes unnecessary features.

## Errors in Financial Data

The finance team might present incorrect graphs due to a copied cell error. Such mistakes can lead to critical decisions being made incorrectly. Therefore, manual verification of data is essential.

## Good Managers Embrace Control

Good managers don’t see constant monitoring as a sign of distrust. Instead, they know this approach helps improve systems and processes. This builds trust and efficiency within the team.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2026/07/23/assume-everything-is-going-badly/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
