Our Pointy-Haired Boss Run New Order of Things Gauntloop

You had a parasocial relationship with Dilbert genius Scott Adams?

This Catch-22 exposé is a concise takedown of the risk-averse, follow-the-herd corporate thinking of which his work brims.

I cite this innovation-killer angle plenty. One of my favourites from long back being when in the personal office of an intransigent buyer insisting they steer clear of the 'new'.

"Everything in this room was new once".

They can still insist on not being first-in. But our aim is to expose a no-win trap in a way that appeals to anything from their FOMO to being able to see the wider canvas of heading off impending trauma.

Remember though, that not everyone can be cajoled into the leap of the new, but at least here's five responses to adapt for your own voice that won't leave you guessing. First a pair riffing closely on my earlier fallback;

'The real risk isn't trying something new. It's that while waiting for someone else to prove it's safe, competition is already moving on it and stealing future business.'

'If no-one else is doing it yet, that means there's still a window to be first. The moment someone else is doing it successfully, do you want to be the one saying 'oh no, too late'.'

Then think about what lovers of the world's second most popular sport (cricket) would term a polite enquiry;

'Help me understand... What would an idea have to look like for you to think it's worth exploring? Because right now it feels like the bar is set so nothing can clear it.'

Having up your sleeve one of my perennial favourites (piloting);

'I'm not asking to bet the company. I'm asking to run a small, toe-dip, low-cost test so we can learn something instead of guessing from the sidelines.'

Finally, let's not go forgetting that English specialty, sarcasm;

'So the innovation strategy is: wait until it's obvious to everyone, then complain about being behind. Solid plan.'