Not Invented Here
August 8th, 2012
Not Invented Here (NIH) is ever-present and misunderstood.
An operational definition of NIH: Group 1 creates new thinking that falls within the official domain of Group 2. When presented with the new thinking, Group 2 rejects it.
It is said Group 2 rejects new thinking because they’re threatened. But that’s too high level to be helpful. To get at the root of it, we need to dig.
First, some NIH:
- Your new thinking is out of alignment with my priorities. Even if I spend a lot of time to understand it, I’m afraid I’ll fail. I reject your new thinking.
- Your new thinking is out of alignment with responsibility. (That thinking should come from me.) If I adopt your new thinking, I’ll look stupid, and I’m afraid I’ll fail. I reject your new thinking.
- Your new thinking is out of alignment with my knowledge. I’m afraid I’ll fail. I reject your new thinking.
- Your new thinking is out of alignment with how I do things. I’m afraid I’ll fail. I reject your new thinking.
Now, some non-NIH :
- My priorities are out of alignment with your new thinking. Though I already have several good ideas that I don’t have time for, can you give me more details so together we can combine the best elements?
- My responsibility is out of alignment with your new thinking, but your new thinking is good. Can you give me more details so together we can investigate possibilities?
- My knowledge is out of alignment with your new thinking. Can you give me more details so we can learn together?
- My way of doing things is out of alignment with your new thinking. Can you give me more details so together we can rethink things?
The key to NIH reduction is to create alignment. With your new thinking not yet fully formed, ask Group 2 for their input. Better yet, ask for their help. Tell them what you don’t know, tell them what you have wrong, tell them how they have a better perspective because it’s their domain, and ask them to help improve it. (All this is best done informally and off-line, at least to start.)
One little-known fact about NIH – it’s pronoun sensitive. Take care to replace I, you, and yours with we.
Posted in Feelings, Innovation, Level 5 Courage, New Thinking, Positivity, Seeing Things As They Are | 
Tags: alignment, Creativity, Pronouns
4 Responses to “Not Invented Here”
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Mike Shipulski
I like where this leads.
A long time ago, in a design group far far away a young engineer was told “your job is to find a better way” (I found an unopened vintage Star Wars trilogy VHS set at a yard sale over the weekend).
Over the decades I have pondered this task. Your post brings out just one of the many responsibilities of this “job”.
For me NIH elicits a response I can put into your words and it works both ways (pronoun sensitive). If I may paraphrase the message?
“Your new thinking is out of alignment with my…”, and I/we don’t want to fail. I/we need you as part of my/our team.
But just as important, possibly more personally if you are still searching.
My/our new thinking is out of alignment with your…” I/we want you to succeed. You want me/us to become part of your team.
If you search hard enough you can always find something or someone better. The goal is to get them on your side.
from the post:
“…create alignment…it’s their domain…ask them to help”, then do it. Whatever “it” may be.
By the way, I think this even works outside of engineering.
Thank you for another life affirming post Mike.
Regards
Doug
The end of post is on the money, and the complete post would really come alive as a You Tube video…..
My experience dealing with NIH revolves on the theme of patience, developing some personal connection and personal familiarity (building confidence and trust), and a smidgen of supporting facts shared informally. what worked for me was focusing on educating (without showing teacher – student structure), and solving small problems related to some of the ideas in the NIH. At all time you want to be seen as a problem solver, rather than a contributor of problems to others…
However, to get the ball moving, the ideas must be presented and a positive picture “painted” to all stake holders – those who will have to live with the consequences, supervisors, mechanics, middle management, senior management, the company owner, and last but not least, anybody who has any influence in the company….
@Doug, thanks for your words. I like them. And, I’m glad you got value from my post. Mike
@David, glad you liked the post. I’m considering video posts. Thanks for the suggestion. Mike