Project Failure Files: Fear of Change and New Ideas

In Episode 10 of the Project Failure Files weekly webcast, our focus was “Innovation Paralysis: Fear of Change and New Ideas,” exploring how fear can lead to project stagnation, and how common indicators of this fear manifest within organizations, such as resistance to new ideas, reluctance to adopt new technologies, or avoidance of process changes. This fear often stems from comfort with the status quo, past failures, lack of trust in leadership, or a lack of understanding of the proposed changes. We emphasized that deeply ingrained cultural norms can act as barriers to innovation, with negative mindsets like “We’ve always done it this way” stifling progress.

My co-host Sharon Weaver (@sharoneweaver) and I tried to illustrate the consequences of resistance to change, including project delays, increased costs, and missed opportunities. To counteract fear and encourage innovation, we advocated for building a strong case for change, engaging leadership support, and providing training and education to equip teams with the necessary skills and confidence. We stressed the importance of creating a safe environment for experimentation, encouraging collaboration, and rewarding innovation and adaptability within teams.

To implement change effectively, we briefly introduced the idea of utilizing change management frameworks like ADKAR and Kotter’s 8-Step Process. We offered some practical steps for implementing changes within a project, including planning, communication, execution, and review, and also highlighted the need for continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and refining processes. Finally, we encouraged reflecting on past experiences to identify what worked and setting realistic future goals to foster innovation and adaptability in upcoming projects. By addressing these topics, our goal was to provide a comprehensive guide to overcoming fear of change and promoting a culture of innovation within project management. Enjoy the episode!

Be sure to tune in next Monday, August 26th at 9am Pacific for Episode 11 of this weekly series as Sharon and I discuss “Embracing Self-Awareness and Humility.“ Join us on LinkedIn.