What's one counterintuitive insight you've gained about process optimization that most people miss? How has this informed your approach to improvement projects?

Question

Process optimization is a critical aspect of business success, but many leaders overlook counterintuitive strategies that can yield significant results. This article delves into surprising insights that challenge conventional wisdom, drawing from the expertise of industry professionals. By exploring these unconventional approaches, businesses can unlock new avenues for efficiency and growth.

Matthew McCourry · Answer

One counterintuitive insight I've gained is that sometimes the most efficient process optimization comes from intentionally leaving gaps in our systems rather than filling in every detail. Early on, I'd create exhaustive procedures for every scenario, but that rigidity caused paralysis when unique homeowner situations arose. Now, I design our improvement projects with 'intentional flexibility zones'—like leaving 20% of our renovation budget unallocated until we've personally walked the property with the homeowner. This allows us to adapt to unexpected structural issues or emotional priorities in real-time, ultimately creating faster, more tailored solutions that build trust and prevent costly rework.

Raul Reyeszumeta · Answer

The most counterintuitive insight I've gained is that resolving upstream issues often exacerbates downstream problems.
I learned this lesson the hard way on a major FDOT project where we were encountering frequent utility conflicts. The apparent solution seemed to be improved record-keeping - obtaining more accurate utility maps at the outset to avoid surprises during construction.
We invested heavily in comprehensive SUE investigations and created detailed 3D utility models. We had perfect records, with every pipe and cable mapped precisely. We thought we had solved the problem.
We were wrong. Now we could identify EVERY potential conflict, including minor ones we could have easily worked around in the field. Instead of 5 major relocations, we suddenly had 20 "potential issues" that all required engineering reviews, stakeholder meetings, and formal resolutions.
The construction crews transitioned from dealing with occasional surprises to waiting weeks for approval on conflicts that weren't actually problems. We had optimized the wrong aspect.
The real solution: We retained the detailed mapping but developed triage protocols. Minor conflicts with less than 6 inches of clearance were given standard field solutions. Major conflicts received the full engineering treatment.
Result: Projects ran more smoothly than before we had perfect information because we weren't overwhelmed with data about problems that didn't actually need solving.
How this changed my approach:
1. I always ask, "What problems will this solution create?" before implementing fixes.2. I distinguish between issues that need prevention and issues that need quick response capability.3. I measure downstream impacts, not just the immediate problem I'm trying to solve.
The hardest lesson was that sometimes being less precise is more effective. Perfect information is useless if it paralyzes decision-making.
Most people optimize by eliminating problems. Real optimization is knowing which problems are worth solving.

Anthony Warren · Answer

One counterintuitive insight I've gained is that intentionally offering above-market value in certain situations actually accelerates our entire buying process and builds long-term business health. When working with homeowners facing foreclosure or PCS moves, I used to negotiate hard to minimize purchase price—but this created friction and delays during their already stressful time. Now, by making a slightly above-expected offer with no strings attached, we've not only halved average closing time but also generated over 40% of our deals through referrals from relieved sellers who felt valued.

Levi Larson · Answer

One counterintuitive insight I've gained is that the most pivotal part of process optimization often lies in empathy, not efficiency. In real estate, it's not enough to just close deals fast; understanding the homeowner's unique situation--whether they're facing foreclosure, a move, or a difficult inherited property--allows us to tailor our approach. By truly listening and putting their needs first, even if it adds a bit of time to the initial conversation, we build trust and clarity that ultimately eliminates surprises, smooths out issues, and makes the entire process incredibly efficient for everyone involved. It's about solving the person's problem, not just buying their house.

Sergio Aguinaga · Answer

From my engineering background, I've learned that process optimization isn't always about making a single process 'perfect' end-to-end; it's often about optimizing the handoffs between different processes or departments. Early on at Michigan Houses for Cash, I'd try to streamline, say, our acquisition process in isolation. However, I found that the biggest bottlenecks weren't within the steps of acquisitions, or rehabs, or sales, but in the communication and transition points *between* them. For example, ensuring real-time updates from our rehab team directly inform our sales strategy has drastically reduced market time and improved our margins.

Lord Robert Newborough · Answer

We discovered that listening to the quietest voices in our team revealed more about optimization than any formal audit. Conventional wisdom often points to data and reporting as the main sources of insight. Yet, we found that subtle observations often highlight inefficiencies better than metrics. A worker noticing how light affects timing or how tools are arranged on a table has saved us weeks of adjustment. These small human insights were invisible in reports but critical in practice.
We began designing improvement projects that prioritize conversation before measurement. This approach slowed things at first but gave us a sharper picture of reality. That counterintuitive shift taught us that genuine efficiency is seen not only in numbers but in the lived experience of those closest to the work. Engaging the team directly helped us make improvements that were practical, sustainable, and grounded in real experience.

Nikita Sherbina · Answer

One counterintuitive insight I've gained about process optimization is that jumping straight to automation can actually make things worse. I've learned that it's far more effective to first examine and simplify the process—eliminating unnecessary steps, redundant approvals, or outdated requirements. Automating a flawed process just locks in inefficiencies and creates more work down the line.
This perspective has changed how I approach improvement projects. I now start by mapping workflows, questioning every step, and focusing only on what truly adds value. Once the process is lean and clear, I layer in technology to speed up execution and maintain consistency. This approach has saved time, reduced errors, and prevented costly rework. Observing how SpaceX and Tesla refine, simplify, and only then automate has reinforced this principle for me in practice.

Jeremy Schooler · Answer

The most counterintuitive insight I've gained is that the problem you think you're solving is rarely the actual problem. In construction and real estate, I'd often implement solutions to address visible symptoms--like cutting costs on materials or speeding up timelines--only to discover deeper underlying issues. Now, I prioritize spending time with homeowners and contractors to understand their true pain points before proposing any changes. This approach has transformed our projects from simply being 'done efficiently' to actually solving the right problems that create lasting value for everyone involved.

Matthew Slowik · Answer

One thing I've learned is that sometimes the best process improvement comes from letting go of systems that worked well in the past, even if they've become a comfort zone. For example, I used to rely on detailed checklists for every rehab, but I realized they stifled our team's creativity and slowed us down when we faced unique property challenges. Now, I focus more on empowering the team to flag issues early and suggest solutions--often leading to unexpected time and cost savings.

Sebastian Hardy · Answer

I've learned that the quickest way to improve a process is often to slow down at the start. Many people try to automate or tweak things right away, but if you haven't mapped out each step and seen where people actually make a difference, you might just speed up problems.
In my experience, taking time to document, question, and carefully design a process early on shows where things are repeated or based on assumptions. After you do that initial work, it's much easier and better to streamline or automate. This idea has changed how I work. Instead of asking, "How can we do this faster?" I ask, "Should we even be doing this, and if so, what's the simplest way to get real results?" This change usually leads to simpler, stronger systems.

Arvind Rongala · Answer

One of the counterintuitive insights I've discovered about process optimization is that adding a small layer of "productive friction" can sometimes create better outcomes than pure efficiency. Most leaders assume that reducing every possible step is the best way to streamline processes, but in practice, a little intentional pause—like requiring teams to validate assumptions before execution—can prevent costly errors down the line.
For example, a McKinsey study found that companies that incorporated structured checkpoints into workflows saw a 20-30% reduction in rework and misalignment. This has shaped the way improvement projects are designed by focusing not only on speed but also on embedding reflective moments that encourage quality decisions and stronger collaboration.
In the long run, this balance between efficiency and deliberate friction drives more sustainable results than speed alone.

Chris Kirshenboim · Answer

One counterintuitive lesson I've learned is that throwing more resources at a problem often makes it worse. Early on, if a project was delayed, I'd hire extra contractors or add more check-ins—only to end up with more confusion and miscommunication. These days, I focus on tightening communication loops and removing unnecessary players, which almost always speeds things up more than adding people ever could.

Kevin Clancy · Answer

The most counterintuitive insight I've learned is that complexity often signals untapped opportunity rather than inefficiency. In the private mortgage note business, most buyers avoid complicated notes--second liens, non-performing assets, or properties in remote areas--because they seem like process nightmares. But I've discovered that these 'messy' situations actually have the highest profit margins and strongest client relationships, because we're solving problems others won't touch. Now when I see a complex note that makes other buyers run, I lean in and ask, "What creative solution can we build here?" instead of trying to streamline it into a cookie-cutter process.

Ryan Hall · Answer

The most counterintuitive insight I've gained about process optimization is that often it's not the big overhauls but the micro-interactions that make the biggest difference. In real estate, I initially thought technology and automation would be our greatest efficiency drivers, but I've discovered that inserting small, personal touchpoints--like a 5-minute check-in call before closing--actually prevents hours of back-and-forth later. Now I approach improvement by looking for those critical moments of potential confusion or stress for sellers, and building targeted human connections precisely where they matter most. This has dramatically reduced our closing timelines while building a reputation that drives our referral business.

Illustrious Espiritu · Answer

When most people think about process optimization, they think about one thing: speed. They want to cut steps, automate everything, and make a process as fast as humanly possible. But in our business, I've learned a counterintuitive insight: the fastest way to a better process is often to slow it down. It sounds crazy, but by deliberately slowing a process down, you find the root cause of problems you never knew you had.
This has completely changed my approach to every improvement project. On the operations side, if we start seeing a rise in shipping errors, my first move isn't to yell at the team or try to speed things up. It's to do the opposite. I have my team verbally confirm every single detail on the order. We track every step meticulously, from the moment a part is pulled to the moment it's packaged. We intentionally slow the process down to find the single point of failure that is causing the errors.
On the marketing side, the same principle applies. If a campaign isn't performing well, my first instinct isn't to spend more money or send more emails. It's to slow down and meticulously analyze every single step of the customer journey. We go through every ad, every landing page, and every email to find where the process is breaking down.
The results have been incredible. By slowing things down, we consistently find the single, simple error that was causing all the problems. We learned that a process that is "fast" but has a high error rate is far more expensive in the long run than a process that is "slow" but has zero errors. This approach has led to a significant reduction in our errors, a more efficient process, and a much more resilient team.
My advice for others is to stop focusing on speed and start focusing on identifying the single point of failure. The fastest way to get where you're going is to make sure you're on the right path in the first place.

Vivian Chen · Answer

One counterintuitive insight is that doing less often drives more impact. Instead of trying to optimize everything, I focus on the one or two changes that will deliver the biggest results. It's the 80/20 rule in action, and it keeps improvement projects lean, focused, and meaningful.

Joel Janson · Answer

The most counterintuitive optimization I've learned is that transparency, even about potential problems, actually streamlines the process. Early on, I'd try to shield sellers from every hiccup, hoping to keep things smooth, but inevitable surprises would always cause bigger delays and erode trust. Now, I lay out all potential scenarios upfront—the good, the bad, and the ugly—which empowers sellers with realistic expectations and prepares them for any bumps, ultimately making the entire transaction less stressful and much faster for everyone involved.

Andrew Izrailo · Answer

One counterintuitive insight I've gained about process optimization is that multitasking, especially across complex corporate structures, significantly reduces efficiency rather than enhancing it. We discovered this when our team was experiencing increased errors and slower progress despite everyone reporting being "busy" throughout the day. This realization led us to implement a "deep work" policy with designated uninterrupted time blocks and a transparent task board, which has become fundamental to how we structure improvement projects across our organization.

Joe Hartman · Answer

The most counterintuitive insight I've learned is that unwavering integrity is the ultimate process shortcut. In the world of distressed real estate, there are plenty of opportunities to be clever, but that approach always backfires with delays and distrust. We've built our business on putting the seller's solution first, which creates a 'win-win' that eliminates the typical negotiation friction and has become our most powerful tool for closing deals quickly and smoothly.

19 Counterintuitive Process Optimization Insights Most Leaders Miss

19 Counterintuitive Process Optimization Insights Most Leaders Miss

Intentional Flexibility Zones Enhance Process Optimization

Perfect Information Can Paralyze Decision-Making

Above-Market Offers Accelerate Buying Process

Empathy Drives Efficiency in Real Estate Transactions

Optimize Handoffs Between Processes for Success

Quiet Voices Reveal Critical Optimization Insights

Simplify Before Automating for Effective Improvement

Addressing Root Causes Trumps Visible Symptoms

Empower Teams to Innovate Beyond Checklists

Slow Down Initially for Better Process Design

Strategic Friction Improves Long-Term Outcomes

Fewer Resources Often Solve Problems Faster

Complex Situations Offer Untapped Profit Potential

Micro-Interactions Drive Major Efficiency Gains

Deliberate Slowdown Reveals Hidden Process Flaws

Focus on High-Impact Changes for Meaningful Results

Upfront Transparency Streamlines Real Estate Transactions

Deep Work Policy Enhances Organizational Efficiency

Unwavering Integrity Shortens Deal-Making Process