Squirrel!

Squirrels get a bad rap for being easily distracted.

But I’m not convinced distraction is what gets them into trouble.

Watch a squirrel crossing the road, trying to get out of the way of a car.  They all look up and see the car with plenty of time to react.

The ones that get run over are the ones that overthink it.

You can almost see the internal debate:

“Go?”

“No wait…”

“Actually maybe back…”

“Hold on…”

That hesitation is what gets them.

I see the same thing happen in organizations all the time.

Not because people are reckless.

Not because they’re unintelligent.Usually because they’re trying to make the “perfect” decision.

So projects stall.Meetings multiply.Momentum disappears.And teams end up stuck in the middle of the road.

A good decision made decisively is often safer than an endlessly debated perfect one.

Most success comes from:

• making a thoughtful call

• committing to it

• learning quickly

• and adjusting with confidence

Indecision is rarely neutral.  It comes with its own risk.

Innovation is hard.  But there are a lot of great ways to succeed.  Don’t get stuck looking for the perfect path.

If your innovation program feels stuck.  Let’s chat about it.