Organizations say they want new ideas and approaches. “Fail faster, succeed sooner” is branded on many R&D departments. But scant few are able to accomplish it. If organizations want change, why do they so often fail to achieve it?
A large body of research on this paradox indicates that companies across many industries espouse their desire to have creative and “game changing” minds but rarely promote them into leadership positions. Despite stated intentions to the contrary, studies consistently find organizational bias against creativity.
New ideas challenge existing practices and routines. Creativity can run afoul of people who have spent a long time in an organization and who have established a significant number of powerful connections and allies.