Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs
and start to climb towards the banana.

As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of
the other monkeys with cold water.

After a while, another monkey makes an attempt
with the same result - all the other monkeys
are sprayed with cold water.

Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to
climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try
to prevent it.

Now, put away the cold water.
Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it
with a new one.
The new monkey sees the banana and wants to
climb the stairs.
To his surprise and horror, all of the other
monkeys attack him.

After another attempt and attack, he knows
that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will
be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five
monkeys and replace it with a new one.
The newcomer goes to the stairs and is
attacked.
The previous newcomer takes part in the
punishment with enthusiasm!

Likewise, replace a third original monkey with
a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey takes to the
stairs, he is attacked.

Most of the monkeys that are beating him have
no idea why they were not permitted to climb
the stairs or why they are participating in
the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing all the original monkeys,
none of the remaining monkeys have ever been
sprayed with cold water.

Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches
the stairs to try for the banana.
Why not?
Because as far as they know that's the way it's
always been done around here.

And that my dear friends, is how
company policy begins...