In today’s era of digital transformation, innovation is everywhere. Understanding the steps to successfully introduce a product or idea to the market makes it easier to gain stakeholder’s acceptance.
Developed by sociologist Everett Rogers in his 1962 book ‘’Diffusion of Innovations’’, this theory has been around for over 50 years, yet it feels more relevant today than ever. The theory seeks to explain how new ideas or products are adopted and the factors that drive their spread.
Furthermore, the Diffusion of Innovations Theory relates to leadership in several important ways, as leaders often play a crucial role in facilitating or hindering the adoption of innovations.
Henry Ford’s famous quote, “Don’t find fault, find a remedy,” highlights the importance of solutions, aligning with the Diffusion of Innovations Theory’s focus on innovation champions, opinion leaders, and change agents.
- Innovators are the first consumers to try out new ideas (2.5%)
- Early adopters are the people who create trends (13%)
- Early Majority are rarely leaders, but they do adopt new ideas before the average person (34%)
- Late Majority are skeptical of change, and will only adopt an innovation after it has been tried by the majority (34%)
- Laggards are bound by tradition and are very conservative (16%)
Keep in mind:
There are five main factors that influence adoption of an innovation: Relative Advantage, Compatibility, Complexity, Triability & Observable Results.
