For the Want of a Nail – How Ignoring a Small Problem Has Big Repercussions

Back when I was in university, I was introduced to the works of Powell and Pressburger as part of my introduction to British cinema. Among these films, a particular scene from A Matter of Life and Death (1946) still resonates with me even now. 

In the scene, the film’s protagonist argues his case in front of a celestial court for having a second chance. The prosecutor rejects the argument, reciting the old maxim “For the Want of a Nail”. For those not familiar, “For the Want of a Nail” is a 13th-century German proverb, which carries a stark reminder that seemingly insignificant acts or omissions can have unforeseen consequences: 

For want of a nail the shoe was lost. 

For want of a shoe the horse was lost. 

For want of a horse the rider was lost. 

For want of a rider the battle was lost. 

For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. 

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail. 

Such a chain of events only becomes visible in hindsight. By overlooking or choosing to ignore something as it appears, it will eventually grow until it is no longer manageable.  

The same can also be said in business. What starts as seemingly insignificant issues can suddenly become glaring operational weaknesses, severe enough to inhibit response and inflict serious damage. 

Most firms are aware of the need to mitigate risks that could hinder their business operations. Firms have a regulatory requirement to have a certain level of operational resilience so that when a problem does arise, the firm can withstand any potential shocks, thereby reducing potential risks of harm from passing down to consumers.  

These levels of proactive decision-making should also extend to managing a firm’s culture. This may include addressing organisational inefficiencies, resolving interpersonal conflicts, making timely strategic decisions, or addressing employee concerns. Ignoring these challenges in the hope that they resolve themselves not only puts individuals at risk but also undermines team dynamics, reduces productivity, and threatens the overall success and sustainability of a business. 

Granted, you cannot always predict the future, there are always surprises waiting around the corner. Having a clear plan in place for these surprises is better to help weather the worst impacts of a crisis rather than trying to dodge the situation and hope for the best. 

After all, life is not a movie, you may not be able to argue your second chance.