Tip of the hat

Just a tip of my hat to Warren Bennis today.  In the book Leaders which he wrote with Burt Namus he reminded us:

"Innovation -- any new idea -- by definition will not be accepted at first, no matter how sensational the idea may be.  If everyone embraced the innovation, it would be difficult to take it seriously -- as an innovation.  Innovation causes resistance to stiffen, defense to set in, opposition to form.  And any new idea looks either foolish or impractical or unfeasible -- at first.  It takes repeated attempts, endless demonstrations, monotonous rehearsals before innovation can be accepted and internalized by any organization.  This requires staying power and, yes, 'courageous patience.'"

It's sure wonderful to be reminded from time to time that new ideas can be a hard sell regardless of your situation.  It is way too easy, working in law firms, to become convinced that this is truly the creative spirit's personal hell.  For, after all, who better (more effective and more irritating) to argue against something than. . . well. . . . .a lawyer?

But it is certainly true that change. . . .and new ideas. . . . .are almost always threatening.  Only the certifiable or, at best, unemployable can thrive on a continuous diet of innovation.

So perhaps it is as important for the creative mind to invest in a supply of well developed patience as it is to keep that brilliant creative genius honed to the finest point?