Michelle Ashen's Key Ideas from Change
by Damon Centola

"Small, tight-knit groups can be catalysts for broader societal change."

Change often starts with passionate, close-knit communities.

Fostering such communities within a business can drive organic innovation.

"By altering the structure of our networks, we can create a world that is more receptive to change."

Intentional network changes can make environments more conducive to innovation.

Businesses can be proactive about network-building to facilitate growth.

”Redundancy in exposure can turn skepticism into belief."

Repeated exposure to an idea from different sources increases its acceptance.

Marketing or innovation campaigns should leverage redundancy.

"Being a contrarian is not about being different; it's about challenging the norm effectively."

Contrarian beliefs can lead to unique innovations that differentiate businesses.

Encourage different perspectives in your team for out-of-the-box thinking.

"Every movement has its pioneers."

Early adopters can serve as catalysts for broader acceptance of an innovation.

Businesses should focus on identifying and nurturing early adopters.

”Resistance to change is a natural part of the change process."

Expect and plan for resistance when introducing new ideas.

Understanding resistance can help businesses refine their innovation strategies.

"Bridges between distant groups can be sources of innovative sparks."

Connections across diverse groups can introduce novel ideas.

mCultivate cross-departmental or cross-industry partnerships for innovation.

"The same seed grows differently in different soils."

The success of an idea can be contingent on the environment.

Ensure the business environment is receptive to innovation.

"Sometimes the quietest person in the room has the loudest impact."

Leadership in change doesn't always come from the most obvious sources.

Recognise and empower hidden influencers within the organisation.

"Every change feeds back into the system, influencing future changes."

The results of one change can set the stage for subsequent innovations.

Continuous feedback is essential for iterative business growth.

"Everyone has a tipping point for adopting new behaviours."

People have different thresholds for adopting new ideas.

Tailor innovation strategies to meet varying adoption thresholds.

"Innovations that resonate with existing cultures have a higher chance of adoption."

Cultural fit can accelerate the acceptance of new ideas.

Businesses should consider cultural alignment when innovating.

"Not every change succeeds, but every attempt paves the way."

Failures can be learning opportunities and stepping stones.

Embrace failures as they often provide valuable lessons for future endeavours.