A colleague just submitted a proposal for a year-long consulting arrangement. With multiple in-person visits and regular virtual connections over twelve months, it carried a hefty price tag. I suspect that the initial reaction of the client will be a gulp, but I hope that the next response is “let me think about it.”
We often provide an instantaneous “no” when something surprises us or pushes us out of our comfort zone. It’s easier to avoid the deep contemplation than it is to truly consider the opportunities the scary idea provides. We can justify our rejection with things like “it’s too expensive” or “that will never fly here” — which may be true — but they may not be.
All change provokes angst and fear at some point in the process. Of course, it’s a risk to go out on a limb to propose something audacious. And yes, it’s a gamble to invest big bucks on something new. But don’t dismiss an ambitious approach without giving serious consideration to the benefits the project could provide. Incrementalism is rarely a wise strategy.
