It's like designers open the startup starter pack and think they have to use all the pieces.
It's like a waitor asking if you are ready to order before you've opened the menu, but the waitor then stands there and covers the menus with their hands,and waits for you to ask them to move their hands.
The problem here is a symptom. The real problem is lack of usability testing - stick it in front of users (not your staff, who will a) already be familiar with it and b) will tell you what you want to hear so it won't annoy the boss and get themselves called a troublemaker). A little genuine testing will show up these problems rapidly. You've just got to put aside your ego and love of cute things, and asks what the customer genuinely wants... oh dear, that sounds like hard work. Never mind. As you were.