Why smart people resist innovation (and why that's actually rational)

Smart people often resist innovation due to rational skepticism rather than an aversion to change, as they make decisions based on incomplete information and fail to foresee exponential improvements. Examples include historical underestimations of technological advancements like the internet and the iPhone, where the initial limitations seemed insurmountable. Eight patterns of rational resistance, such as incumbents protecting margins and the availability bias, offer insights into why organizations may hesitate to adopt new technologies. Effective leadership requires acknowledging these resistances and bridging the gap between current realities and future potentials by integrating innovations into essential operations, focusing on trust and usability, and recognizing the phases of technological adoption. Retiring the dismissive term "resistant to change" in favor of "rational observation" can help leaders leverage skepticism constructively, ensuring they are not left behind as innovations progress through their adoption cycles.