Curve

I am inquisitive about change....why some people are comfortable with it and others fear it.

In researching it further I ran across the Innovation Adoption Curve. Sounds pretty technical, and it is, but it is also very enlightening at many different levels.

It is also known by some other names...Multi-Step Flow Theory or Diffusion of Innovations Theory. I know what you are thinking...."you need to get out more often." And I probably do!

Here it is in a nutshell...There are five different categories of people

Innovators....these are brave people who are initiating the change.

Early Adopters...these are respectable people who influence others opinions...they try out new ideas but in a careful way.

Early Majority...these are thoughtful people who are careful but change more quickly than the average person.

Late Majority...these are skeptical people who will adopt new ideas only when the majority is already using them.

Laggards...these are traditional people who love to stick with the "old ways" and are critical about new ideas and will only accept them if the new idea has become mainstream or even traditional.

We need em' all.

I can't imagine a world full of Innovators. There would be a parade of new ideas constantly and nobody around to implement them.

I can't imagine a world full of Laggards, although I have been in a few places where they congregated.

The research tells us that progress is made when attention is given to convincing the Innovators and the Early Adopters.

It makes me wonder how all five groups respond to words like..."See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

Innovators might say, "A new thing, cool! What is it and when do we start?"

Early Adopters might say, "New things are ok, but let's be careful, you never know what's ahead?"

Early Majority might say, "New things....hmmmm...think I'll wait until the price comes down."

Late Majority might say, "New things...I have heard others talking about it...what does Consumer Report say about it?"

Laggards might say, "Change? If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Now what were we talking about?"

I've got experience with all five groups, and I have the bruises and scars to prove it.

Have you had any similar experiences?