It’s normal to resist change. When cars were first introduced, many people thought they were a dangerous and unnecessary replacement for horses. And the English resisted using umbrellas at first because they thought that rain made them hearty and strong. (Seems crazy now, right?) Being too nostalgic can make us blind to future opportunities. How can we overcome this very human tendency?
Build a Bridge
Instead of framing an innovation as a radical change, try to think of it as improving on a familiar concept. This “bridge of familiarity” can help new ideas (and products!) gain mainstream acceptance. For instance, when the auto industry described cars as an improvement on horses, using terminology such as “horsepower” in advertising, people embraced the new technology. Learn more about how to navigate change successfully with our latest Instaread.
