Monkey Business

Start with a cage containing 5 apes. In the cage hang a banana on a string. Before long an ape will start to climb the stairs towards the banana.  Whenever any of the apes touch the stairs spray all the apes with cold water.  After several attempts, whenever an ape goes near the stairs the other apes try to prevent it.

 

Now put the spray equipment away and exchange one of the apes with a new one. When the new one approaches the stairs he will be assaulted by the other 4 apes.  Over time exchange each of the original 4 apes with other apes, one at a time.

 

Now exchange one of the apes with a new one. When the new one approaches the stairs he will be assaulted by the other apes.  The difference is that none of the apes knows why they are not to approach the stairs, but will still attack any ape that does so.

 

Why? Because that's the way they've always done it, and that's the way it's always been around here.  And that's how company policy begins ...