Surfing the hype cycle of a major innovation is hard work and risky if attempted alone. All leadership can get lonely and this state can be disorientating. To avoid dizziness at the peak of inflated expectations or self destructive behavior in the trough of disillusionment you may need a helping hand. A personal mentor – formal or informal – is a sensible precaution for any hype cycle rider. Pick someone of wisdom and detachment from the situation. Pick someone who has seen many waves and many riders come and go before. Pick someone you trust to be open with and who will help you read both the state the wave and your performance with honesty and directness.
Reminding yourself of these rules should help you maintain a sense of perspective and avoid the mental straight jacket we all tend to fall into when following innovation projects, particularly those that will occupy us for several years.
This is the last in a series of 11
For an overview of ‘Rules for Riders’ see previous post
