Your Idea Was ''Not Invented Here"   


Why is it that some people refuse even to consider the ideas of others? 
One answer is that they didn't think of the idea themselves. 

A few decades ago, during the salad days of Silicon Valley, a term  came into being to identify this tendency to resist new ideas from outsiders.   

Definition of NIH:   

Not Invented Here (or NIH) refers to the problem when people in  companies continue to ignore existing solutions to problems because  they were not created in-house. It is endemic to the computer industry.   

In many cases NIH occurs as a result of simple ignorance, as many  companies simply never do the research to know if a solution already  exists. But equally common are deliberate cases where the engineering  staff rejects a solution, typically because they believe they can do better.   

Many millions of manhours and billions of dollars have been wasted  as a result of NIH.   

(Definition from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)   

Ingrained Beliefs Resist New Ideas   

This NIH tendency to resist alternative ideas happens not only  within many organizations ((businesses, schools, churches, government),  but also within individuals. Some people become so closely identified  with their ideas and beliefs that it's hard for them to consider alternatives  without feeling uncomfortable. They act as if they are being attacked  personally if you challenge their beliefs by suggesting different viewpoints.  At the extreme end of the belief spectrum we find the true believers  who would rather die than abandon their beliefs. Some revolutionaries  and religious zealots are among these true believers.   

Certainly, few of us enjoy receiving unsolicited advice that suggests  we are ignorant. We are somewhat more open to advice when we ask  for it, such as from a doctor or attorney. Even then, however, we may  resist, as demonstrated by the nearly 50% non-compliance rate of  patients who don't follow their doctor's advice.   

I notice this same NIH resistance occurs in ordinary conversations.  For example, on a recent flight from Miami to Las Vegas, I chatted with  a fellow who was coming to the city for the first time. After 3 years of  living here, I know quite a lot about the area, and I invited him to ask  me any questions about shows, dining, and general sight-seeing.  He showed no interest. Then he said he planned to go to Hawaii  this year. Again, I suggested I knew something about the state after  30 years of residence there. Again, he showed no interest whatsoever.   

As says the conventional wisdom that men won't stop to ask for  directions when lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood (because they might  appear ignorant), I suppose that this fellow also didn't want to look  ignorant either, especially when seated near his wife and his sister-in-law.  This guy showed me! He didn't need any help from anyone!   

I was talking with a professor friend about his department chairperson,  and he told me that she initially rejects virtually every proposal he or his  colleagues make. She asks for suggestions, then rejects or modifies what  is given to her. Why? Apparently, she thinks her ideas are better than anyone  else's. If she doesn't think of it, it's not worth much. Once again, an  example of not invented here, very common in bureaucracies where  novice administrators have a need to demonstrate their power and authority.   

You may recall the ancient zen story of the student having tea with  the meditation master and asks for the answer how to become enlightened.  The master begins to pour tea into the student's cup until it overflows and  runs off the table. What are you doing? asked the alarmed student. The  master replied Your mind is already so full it does not have room for new  ideas. In short, he was saying that the state before any new knowing is  being empty and not knowing. The master had concluded that this student  was so full of himself that he could not consider fresh ideas.   

No Sure Way to Convince Others   

There is no sure way to get a hearing for your ideas when the other person  is resistant. The best approach is probably to reach and withdraw. That is,  to gently offer your viewpoint and then step back to see if the person is  receptive. If not, let it be. Even the Gospels contain the suggestion: Let  them who have ears to hear, hear, and eyes to see, see. Reach and withdraw.   

It seems best to be known as a mature and sensible person who may share  ideas and advice when asked, but who does not dole out unsolicited advice or  opinions. As a rule, it is not helpful to relationships to go around making  suggestions and giving advice because in doing so we come across as  know-it-alls. Leave that to the political pundits who are paid for  proferring advice.