I’ve worked in organizations big and small, and what’s interesting about the big ones is that there are often a few people whose principal function seems to be to say “no” to things. Sometimes they are lawyers but it really could be anyone whose refrains go something like: It’s too risky. We’ve never done it this way before. But have you thought about….
Naysayers are fine if they are contributors to the debate. But if the people whose job it is to say no actually have veto power you’ve got a problem and you will never innovate.
Seem obvious? Then fire the no-ers. Or make them into contributors who don’t have the final say.
Sound drastic? Your other option is to give up entirely on innovation.
