A Little Friction Might Be Exactly What We Need

October 12, 2026

I recently heard LL Cool J say something that caught my attention: “Friction makes easy things difficult and difficult things impossible.”

His point was that we need friction. And the more I thought about it, the more I agreed.

We are living in an increasingly squishy environment, where convenience is becoming an expectation and discomfort is something we're constantly trying to eliminate.

Think about it. We can order dinner without cooking, navigate anywhere without reading a map, generate a business proposal without writing a sentence, and get answers to complex questions without doing the research. Even boredom has become optional.

Technology has given us extraordinary advantages. But are we becoming more capable, or simply more dependent on things being easy?

As business owners and leaders, this is worth examining.

When a team member encounters a difficult assignment, do we give them the answer or encourage them to figure it out? When someone presents an idea, do we challenge their assumptions or applaud the effort? When a campaign underperforms, do we investigate why or simply move on to the next one?

I've seen how easily good intentions can get in the way of growth. We want to be supportive, approachable, and encouraging. But sometimes, in trying to make things easier for our teams, we unintentionally deprive them of opportunities to develop judgment, confidence, and resilience.

Support doesn't always mean removing the obstacle. Sometimes it means giving someone the tools, trust, and space to work through it.

Let them research the problem. Ask them to defend their recommendation. Encourage them to try something unfamiliar, make a mistake, and explain what they learned.

And yes, have the uncomfortable conversation when expectations aren't being met. Constructive feedback is not unkind. Avoiding it can be.

The same applies to us. When was the last time we invited someone to challenge our own thinking?

There's a difference between unnecessary obstacles and productive friction. One wastes energy. The other builds capability.

Perhaps our responsibility isn't to make everything easier for the people around us, but to help them become stronger, more curious, and more resourceful when things aren't easy.

Because the goal of leadership shouldn't be to create an environment where nobody struggles.

It should be to create one where people have the confidence, support, and opportunity to grow through the struggle.

And that requires a little friction.