15 Struggles Every Innovator Faces (And How to Overcome Them)

Management knows innovation is important, but find all kind of reasons to stop it continuously. Check out in this article the main struggles and how to overcome them to increase your innovation impact ... breaking innovation barriers.

Innovation is critical. If your organisation doesn’t keep up with external changes, you risk becoming irrelevant. Research shows the lifespan of S&P 500 companies has plummeted from 61 years in 1958 to just 18 years today. The companies that failed? They didn’t innovate in time.

Many associate innovation with tech, but it’s broader than that. Yes, it could be about AI, biotech, or robotics, but it’s also about new business models, processes, or ways of working. It’s not just about invention. Innovation is about taking those ideas and turning them into reality—something that has an impact, whether it’s a new service, product, or approach. And that impact might be enormous, affecting how people think, act, or work. It could also have a quantitative effect—reaching massive audiences. In either case, innovation means change.

But here’s the kicker: innovation isn’t easy. In fact, the biggest obstacle is something simple, yet infuriating. The word “No”.

You’ve heard it before:? “No, we’ve tried that.”? “No, it’s too risky.”? “No, it’s not in the budget.”? “No, our customers won’t like it.”Sound familiar?

These are the kinds of rejections that kill innovation. And it’s not just about technical feasibility. More often, innovation dies because of a lack of management support.

This is echoed by 52% of LinkedIn professionals who say their biggest challenge is simply that management doesn’t back innovation enough.

Why Does Innovation Struggle? Management knows innovation is important. They say it all the time. But they’re also dissatisfied with how it’s going. There’s a gap between their intentions and the reality of execution. They want incremental changes—small improvements over time. Radical ideas? They’re too scary, too much of a leap from the comfort zone.The truth is, innovation gets buried under daily priorities. CEOs know it’s vital for the future, but when push comes to shove, the immediate business needs always seem more pressing.

As I often say, “The business of today beats innovation for tomorrow.”

So, what happens to all those bright, disruptive ideas? They get killed. Not because they’re bad, but because they don’t get the chance to survive the bureaucratic gauntlet of “no’s.”

If you’re reading this, you probably know these struggles:1. Getting innovation on the corporate agenda. 2. Securing a budget for it. 3. Lack of senior management support. 4. Resistance from traditionalists. 5. Bureaucratic hurdles. 6. Aligning innovation with corporate strategy. 7. Facing internal competition for funding. 8. Dealing with risk-averse cultures. 9. Slow decision-making. 10. Organisational silos. 11. Attracting the right talent. 12. Skepticism about ROI. 13. Frustration with slow results. 14. Siloed thinking. 15. Resistance to new ideas. These challenges resonate with innovation professionals everywhere.

We’re battling against a corporate culture that both claims to love innovation but is quick to stifle it.

The good news? Innovation professionals aren’t alone. You have the ideas, the drive, and now, you need the support. Breaking these barriers is essential for future-proofing your organisation and maintaining relevance in an ever-changing world. That’s where my new book, “Breaking Innovation Barriers ,” comes in.

It dives deep into the practical ways you can navigate these obstacles, from securing management buy-in to creating an innovation culture that embraces risk and rewards forward-thinking ideas. You’ll find practical strategies and real-life examples to help break through the resistance and turn “no” into “yes.”

In Conclusion: Innovation is a Struggle—but You Can Win.

Yes, innovation is a struggle. It’s filled with resistance, obstacles, and frustrations. But it’s also necessary. Without it, companies fade, opportunities are missed, and the future becomes uncertain. You can overcome the “no’s.” You can break through the barriers. It just takes the right tools and strategies to push forward.Want to know how? Check out “Breaking Innovation Barriers ” on Amazon, and pre-order now—it might just be the game-changer your (client's) organisation needs.

Wishing you lots of innovation success!

Innovative regards,

Gijs van Wulfen

LinkedIn Influencer, Speaker on Design Thinking Innovation, Global Number One Thought Leader on Design Thinking 2024, Founder FORTH Innovation method, author of seven Innovation Books.

Ps. Click on this link to boost your personal skills in one week to lead innovation with the proven FORTH innovation method and get certified.

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