Why People Fear New Ideas

Though there are many reasons why people fear the adoption of new ideas, here are a few of the common ones I’ve run across…

1. Failure
What we’re doing might not be perfect, but it’s working. Why risk changing it for something better on the chance the idea fails?

2. Blame
If this new idea doesn’t perform as hoped, they’ll hold me personally accountable.

3. Status Quo
Whoa, buddy… No rocking the boat!

4. Work
Putting a new idea into effect sounds like it’s going to require a lot of extra effort, and my to-do list is already full.

5. Judgment
Some people might not like this idea, and perhaps they won’t like me for being associated with it.

6. Change
Sure, change is inevitable — but you go first. I might not like the way things are, but it’s a lot easier to complain about it than to make any improvements.

7. Pessimism
That idea will never get approved. We tried something like that before and it didn’t work in the past, and it’s not going to work now.

8. Risk
Seems a little ‘iffy’ to me. It’s much safer if we keep doing what we’ve always done.

9. Alone
I’m not willing to go out on a limb and show support for that idea. Who else is backing your concept?

10. Doubt
If this was truly a good idea, wouldn’t someone have thought of it before? Maybe we should wait…

My friend Phil Rist from Prosper Insights shared this quote with me yesterday and it’s right on target. It seemingly merges all of the fears above into this single statement:

“And let it be noted that there is no more delicate matter to take in hand, nor more dangerous to conduct, nor more doubtful in its success, than to set up as the leader in the introduction of changes. For he who innovates will have for his enemies all those who are well off under the existing order of things, and only lukewarm supporters in those who might be better off under the new.”
~ Niccolo Machiavelli
from The Prince

Embrace new ideas — don’t be a ‘fraidy cat.