Have you ever thought that cheating must provide an advantage? A fascinating new study on the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal flips this idea on its head and challenges us to rethink assumptions about misconduct and performance.

Gies Professors Deepak Somaya and Joe Mahoney explain that despite a carefully planned system, the Astros’ cheating didn’t statistically improve their performance. It turns out, “There often are a lot of hidden costs or unintended consequences to strategic action.”

This episode unpacks three major factors that undermined the Astros’ efforts and draws powerful lessons for businesses. From organizational identity conflict to disruption of routines, this study highlights why sometimes the shortcut isn’t worth it.