The Pain of a New Idea

One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea ... It makes you think that, after all, your favourite notions may be wrong, your firmest beliefs ill-founded ... Naturally, therefore, common men hate a new idea, and are disposed more or less to ill-treat the original who brings it. - Walter Bagehot, Editor, The Economist

For non-conformity the world whips you with its displeasure. - Emerson

Creativity is bringing something new into the world.?

Ideas. Suggestions. Alternatives. Inventions.

New information.

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The organisation does not like this.?

(Hence it's external consultants not wage earners bosses invite to run workshops touting 'leadership'. Bosses want to disassociate from both. Except if you're Nicole Adams and St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls who respect staff enough to invite them to present their ideas. Ever noticed how in house 'leadership' trainers leave to become consultants?)

Egos do not like this.?

Your next meeting will not like this. ?

Those at the table will hear:

'Your technology is outdated. You wasted your time. Your seat at the table is under threat.'?

'Everything that got you here was wrong. Draw swords. Defend what you know! Charge!'

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In the face of this the creator must choose:

Retreat.

Or Rebellion.?

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Most of us choose Retreat.

Every single day.

Multiple times.

Every meeting where we remain silent.

Every honest conversation we don't have.

Every idea we don't put forward.

No point fighting the boss.

Especially when they claim God on their side - while ignoring the Rebel Jesus.

White flags fluttering from every cubicle and office.

We're not engaged at work because our mortgage might be a casualty of the fight.

We remain in our barracks and polish our boots and share stories about the last war.

Rising occasionally to loyally and jealously discharge a sniper round at a Rebel sprinting past.

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While the Rebel Few quietly and bravely advance under fire with ideas and new information ..

Civil war breaks out between the forces of Is - and Could Be. ?

Charging beneath their banners coloured My Opinion and Your Opinion.

The original idea, suggestion, invention, information that ignited the war- is forgotten.

(Who shot the Archduke and why? Who cares. We honour the lost of the War that followed.)

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The organisation's rules, hierarchies, performance reviews, promotions, compliance, accountability, value statements and reserved parking bays are unguarded minefields.

Mostly maiming the New Ideas.