In this age of fast moving technology, systems change and economic upheaval, there are always those techies out on the cutting edge trying the newest software, gadgets and seeing if they will be useful for work and life. They sit each night by the fireplace (projected on their Ipad) reading a kindle while checking their email on their iphone. These people are EARLY-adopters.
On the other end of the spectrum are those people who are LATE-adopters. They swear they’ll never give up paper books, cell phones are a nuisance and they say things like “If anyone wants to get a hold of me, just send it by pony express”. In their opinion, they’ve been proved right time after time, that not following the fads save money and energy.
Of course, I’m exaggerating ever so slightly. But what is one to do if you are married to, partner with, work for, someone who is at the opposite end of the technology adoption spectrum? This isn’t just a hypothetical question, it’s a question that is being battled over in homes and businesses all over America because where you sit on the adoption spectrum dictates where resources, research and change will focus. Companies are threatened by adopting to the changing environment too slowly, yet there are also plenty of examples of companies that have been crashed along the rock by chasing fads. While the stakes within the household aren’t so dire, the tension from being on opposite ends of the EARLY-Late spectrum is real.
A FEW TIPS
1. Be Yourself. If you’ve a natural curiosity and desire to be on the cutting edge, or conversely want to stick with tried and true, be authentic. If being it’s about being Retro or Techie or some other label to please others, don’t do it.
2. Respect The Others Perspective. Late adopters are the largest part of the population, so they’ll give you a clue how the biggest portion of your clients are thinking and reacting. Early Adopters are discovering how things will work and function in the next round, so they’ll give you a window into the possibilities.
3. Know what’s critical. In business, being a late adapter to change can be the death knell (see Borders as an example), but not every change is life or death. Pick your battles carefully. There are times when change is critical, and being left behind isn’t an option, but not all of change is that monumentious. Likewise, not every change needs to be fought as the end of civilization by late-adopters.
4. Have a sense of humor…about YOURSELF. So many times we pick on those that aren’t like us, but can’t take it ourselves. No one likes a grump how can’t laugh at themselves. Loosen up early adopters, take it easy late adopters.
5. Be Willing to Recognize When You Are Wrong. While I realize that you can point back to example after example of ways you have been proven right over the years by being a (late/Early) adopter, be open to the idea that maybe this time you could be, just maybe, wrong.
Have you experienced this tension? What are some of your challenges being partners, working for, or being married to an opposite in the area of technology adoption? Any suggestions to add to my list of potential solutions?
David Curry
