Cultural exhaustion and the rigidification of the system If what I have outlined only occurred once in a generation, individuals might point to it as a failed experiment or a frustrating moment in the history of the organization. The scenario, however, is one that continually repeats itself. The repetition has consequences beyond merely a sense of isolated reform efforts. Instead, those who have worked at creating a particular change are less willing to put in time when another effort is suggested. “Why bother” becomes the refrain.