Why Not?

Organizations that have a history of success are often the most resistant to change. Many established companies that have been successful in the past are not as successful as they used to be, so they go looking for new ideas hoping to rekindle the triumphant flames of yesteryear. They create internal teams to explore new ideas or hire consultants to help them infuse a fresh perspective into their company’s thinking.

Many bright people show up at subsequent meetings with truly wonderful, well-thought-out, potentially game-changing ideas. Yet the presentation of a new vision is often followed by a long period of uncomfortable silence. The hum of the air conditioner is the only audible sound as a seemingly disinterested group sits in muted awkwardness, unwilling to continue the conversation for fear of admonishment. Then some manager type is often the first person to offer an opinion and leads the group in an aimless discussion explaining WHY the idea will never work.

Here is a shortlist of the most common reasons Why an idea will never work.

That’s just not possible.
We’ll never do that here.
They will never agree to it.
That’s not how we do it.
We’re too small (big) to think like that.
I’ll never get that approved.
We don’t have the manpower.
The salesmen will never do it.
It’s too hard.
The IT guys hate it.
It’s not the corporate way.
It will take too long.
Can you give us an example of another company that’s done that successfully?

Companies unable to change are at risk of becoming irrelevant. The first step in avoiding this fate is to build a culture that nurtures and encourages those brave enough to keep the conversation going by asking Why Not?