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Posted On
10/07/2009

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7 Comments »

The 5 Stages of Innovation


Josh Craft showed me this chart of the steps people go through with innovation and I have to admit, it’s spot on.  I’ve seen this exact sequence play out so many times it’s not funny, but it’s worth repeating.  The next time you want to make real change happen in your organization, get ready to experience this sequence:

1. People deny that the innovation is required.
2. People deny that the innovation is effective.
3. People deny that the innovation is important.
4. People deny that the innovation will justify the effort required to adopt it.
5. People accept and adopt the innovation, enjoy its benefits, attribute it to people other than the innovator, and deny the existence of stages 1 to 4.

Anything out of place or something you’d like to add?

(Inspired by Alexander von Humboldt’s ‘Three Stages Of Scientific Discovery’, as referenced by Bill Bryson in his book, ‘A Short History Of Nearly Everything’.)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 12:36 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Aweaver3

    We often think just because we have a good idea, making the necessary changes will be effortless and without obstacles.  It’s good to be reminded that there will be struggles, but that doesn’t mean we should stop pressing forward… unless our idea really isn’t that great in the first place. :-)

    Allen Paul Weaver III Author, Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers and Speedsuit Powers (Dec 2009) http://www.APW3.com

  • http://www.terriconraddesigns.typepad.com Terri Conrad

    So well (humorously) put – also so (frustratingly) true. As an artist, visionary, and creator seeing the need for innovation on so many levels, in so many aspects of life and work the challenge becomes in conveying, convincing and cultivating cooperation to effect no.5! Care to offer insight?

  • http://www.myindustry.ir Hamid

    Extremely true ! This is exactly what people do ! Thanks 

  • saqib

    its good as my point of view…..by DR.M.SAQIB PH.D ECONOMICS

  • Irene Abbott

    True for sure! I’m still trying to cultivate cooperation and convince as well. Apathy and lack of excellence is my biggest hurdle at work. Not being in a position of authority makes it even more difficult for me.

  • AJL

    The ONLY way to survive this cycle is to work to please God alone. Everyone else is secondary. That makes the excellence you strive for worth it even if nobody else seems to care because He knows who did what so taking the credit…or the blame, is not the goal. Easy to say and pretty darned hard to do!

  • Irene Abbott

    AJL – it actually makes work easier. When I accepted that I’m working for God alone my attitude towards others changed from noticing what they do to helping them when I could. Funny thing happened, some people aren’t too fond of someone else going that extra mile. It picked up productivity but not contentment in the lab. It’s all good though, I help in my church when I can and everyone wants to chip in and help do things all of the time. I’m grateful to have another outlet where attitudes are different. 


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