Do you want to open new possibilities by recognizing the value of external ideas in driving innovation?
Discover the transformative power of external inspiration and collaboration in driving innovation to new heights.
Then, you must break free from the confines of internal ideas and tap into the power of diverse knowledge for groundbreaking solutions.
How do you do it? Simply break away from the not-invented-here syndrome!
Learn more about the mental trap of Not-Invented Here Syndrome and how to protect yourself against it. Get insights into who is usually its victims and gain real-life experiences.
Understanding the “Not-Invented-Here Syndrome”
“Not-Invented-Here Syndrome” (NIHS) is a cognitive bias that leads people to reject ideas and solutions from outside their domain. This bias believes that external solutions hold little value or are completely incorrect. This results in a belief that the only viable choice is to develop something completely new.
Consequently, this mindset frequently leads to expensive re-inventions of existing solutions, squandering valuable resources, and overlooking potential opportunities.
Unfortunately, the NIHS can extend beyond organizations and into the lives of individuals. Many traditional artisans reject modern tools and technology, which could help them increase their production and revenue.
While comfort in working with traditional tools is understandable, maintaining a steadfast dedication to old methods will inevitably limit one’s success due to an unwillingness to adapt and evolve. Not only that but in today’s tech-driven age, people risk getting left behind if they refuse to embrace more advanced options available.
Exploited And Exploiters
The Not-Invented-Here Syndrome (NIHS) can affect anyone. Still, it tends to be more common among risk-averse individuals who have a high need for control, feel insecure about their abilities, and are resistant to new ideas. It is particularly common in organizations. It can be a major obstacle to innovation and progress.
Some people and organizations may exploit NIHS for their benefit. For example, a company may refuse to adopt a new technology because it wants to protect its market share. Or, a manager may reject a new idea from an employee because they want to take credit for the idea themselves.
Day-To-Day Not-Invented-Here Syndrome
- A company refuses to use a new technology because it was not developed in-house.
- A company insists on developing its own solution to a problem, even though existing solutions exist.
- A company is unwilling to collaborate with other companies or organizations because it fears that it will lose control or that its intellectual property will be stolen.
- A group is convinced that creating their security protocols from scratch is better than relying on existing industry standards.
- A company spends valuable resources and time attempting to design a new product when something similar already exists on the market.
Recognizing When You Are Slipping Into The “Not-Invented-Here Syndrome” Trap
The signs of not-invented-here syndrome can vary depending on the situation, but some common red flags include:
- Spending excessive time and resources on creating a solution from scratch when something similar already exists.
- Believing that in-house team members can better create something than field experts.
- Failing to take advantage of industry standards and best practices due to ego or perceived superiority complex.
- Rejecting collaboration with external parties due to fear of losing control over the project.
Overcoming the “Not-Invented-Here Syndrome”
Overcoming NIHS can be challenging, but it is important to do so if you want to foster innovation and progress in your organization.
By following the tips above, you can create a culture of openness and innovation where new ideas are welcomed and encouraged.
- Be aware of the bias: The first step to overcoming NIHS is to be mindful of it. Once you are aware of the bias, you can challenge it.
- Be open to new ideas: Be willing to consider new ideas and technologies, even if they differ from yours.
- Give new ideas a fair chance: Don’t reject new ideas too quickly. Give them a fair opportunity to prove themselves.
- Be willing to learn from others: Be ready to learn from others, even if they have different ideas than you.
- Create a culture of innovation: Create a culture in your organization that is open to new ideas and innovation.
- Seek out diversity of thought: Surround yourself with people with different ideas and perspectives. This will help you to challenge your assumptions and biases.
- Reward innovation: Recognize and reward employees who come up with new ideas, even if the ideas are not ultimately implemented. This will help to create a culture of innovation in your organization.
- Celebrate failures: Celebrating failures is important, as they can be a valuable learning experience. This will help to reduce the stigma associated with failure and encourage employees to experiment with new ideas.
Final Thoughts
Recently Steve Yegge, a former Google employee, shared that working at Google was once his dream job. But over the course of 13 years, things changed, and he no longer found it pleasurable.
Yegge explains that an organization as successful as Google can lead to a sloppy mindset, becoming complacent and suffering from the ‘Not-invented Here’ Syndrome.
This involves them favoring their own solutions over external sources and resulting in inefficient or complex products, which can leave employees feeling dissatisfied with their work environment. As Yegge personally encountered, this mindset ultimately results in making bad choices and a failure to grasp the customers’ requirements.
So, put the power into your own hands and use it to its fullest potential. Don’t overlook the immense opportunities that come from pursuing your unique path, and engaging in open discussions with people inside and outside your organization, where win-win solutions.
Finally
Guard against the “Not-invented Here” syndrome bias, a decision-making pitfall that underestimates the value of external ideas and knowledge.
Embracing fresh perspectives and breaking free from this bias is key to fueling innovation and unlocking new possibilities. Found this article interesting and useful? Then do, subscribe to our newsletter for more such good reads.
Reference
The above article is based on the book Thinking Clearly; this article is here to help us learn and understand how our minds can be tricked by something called cognitive biases.