The quote “What I’m doing is obeying the law of diffusion of innovations” refers to the principle of how new ideas, products, or practices spread within a community or society. This law, also known as the Diffusion of Innovations theory, was first proposed by sociologist Everett Rogers in 1962. It suggests that innovation spreads through a population in a predictable pattern over time. At first, only a small group of people (the “innovators” and “early adopters”) embrace the new idea or product. Gradually, the majority of the population (the “early majority” and “late majority”) adopt it, and finally, it reaches the “laggards,” or those who are last to adopt the innovation.
When Simon Sinek says he is “obeying the law of diffusion of innovations,” he is essentially saying that he is following this natural and predictable pattern in spreading his ideas or innovations. He recognizes that not everyone will immediately accept his ideas, but over time, more and more people will adopt them until they become mainstream.
In today’s world, we can see the law of diffusion of innovations at work in many areas. For instance, in the technology sector, new gadgets and applications often follow this pattern. Initially, only a small group of tech enthusiasts (the innovators and early adopters) will use them. Over time, as the products become more refined and their benefits become more apparent, the majority of the population will start to use them.
In terms of personal development, understanding the law of diffusion of innovations can be very beneficial. It can help us to be more patient and persistent when trying to introduce new ideas or practices, whether in our personal life or in our work environment. We can understand that change often takes time and that it’s normal for new ideas to be met with resistance at first. This understanding can help us to stay motivated and committed to our goals, even when progress seems slow.