How to Stifle Innovation

According to ZDNet, the above video was “prepared by NASA engineers to demonstrate the problems in any large bureaucracy that values requirements over new ideas, and process over [initiative].” It’s about ten minutes long, but the point is well made within the first two minutes.

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February 9, 2009 | Filed Under Innovation | 4 Comments 

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4 Responses to “How to Stifle Innovation”

  1. Now This is a Good Vision Statement : What’s Best Next on February 10th, 2009 4:37 am

    [...] idea because “they don’t have the right to read a book out loud.” Talk about stifling innovation. Why would you be “concerned” about a great idea? [That's rhetorical -- I know the [...]

  2. Kim on February 10th, 2009 11:53 am

    I was floored to hear some of the words she said to discourage this new idea because they echo what a woman said to me almost word for word! At the time, I just backed up from my excitement. Tried to express over and over that my heart was not to cause hurt feelings or harm…just had a couple of thoughts that I thought might help out. She ended up taking it higher and again I was told to basically stay in my place. It’s not my job; it’s hers. I followed Paul’s advice in Romans 12 to do my best to live at peace with all of them and though it was really hard at the time, I hadn’t thought of it much in a while as it happened years ago.

    But it didn’t happen in a company. It happened at my church with a woman I love dearly and a pastor I respect deeply. They were not unloving, just closed off and took it very, very personally that I thought I could do something better. Any thoughts on what to do when you face it in the church?

  3. Matt on February 10th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Kim: That can be tough. I agree that Romans 12 needs to be the undercurrent. Humility is central as well.

    A few quick thoughts on that basis. First, it’s important to make sure they feel heard. Even though they are the decision-makers, this is still important. Then, second, this may open the door to making your case again. Seek to show how it benefits everyone. Depending upon the importance of the issue, there does come a point where it may be best to let it be (which it sounds like is the conclusion you came to).

    But, most importantly, keep having good ideas. When it seems helpful, look for ways to bring them up winsomely. If there keeps being resistance, it may just be useful to have an honest and frank discussion with those who aren’t seeming open to ideas. The book Crucial Conversations is helpful in that regard.

    Those are just some quick thoughts.

  4. Kim on February 11th, 2009 9:09 am

    Thanks for the quick response, Matt. This issue definitely isn’t one to fight over. By God’s grace, they remain much more dear to me than that idea. And God did much more work in me through the experience than if I had gotten my way!

    I’m grateful for the book suggestion and will look for it. I’m also grateful for your work here and at Desiring God. Your behind the scenes work helps me daily.

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