The human mind rejects ideas that are too novel. Effective communication and innovation should be grounded in the familiar, introducing only about 20% new information. This principle, from designer Raymond Loewy, helps make new concepts intelligible and acceptable.

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Instead of trying to force complex concepts on a resistant audience, adapt the packaging to meet them where they are. You don't need to convince a party-focused individual to read dense philosophy; instead, rebrand the core lessons into a format and style that aligns with their current interests and worldview.

Shifting from a black-and-white "right vs. wrong" mindset to a probabilistic one (e.g., "I'm 80% sure") reduces personal attachment to ideas. This makes group discussions more fluid and productive, as people become more open to considering alternative viewpoints they might otherwise dismiss.

The most effective ideas are not the most outlandish. Human psychology craves both novelty and familiarity simultaneously. Truly successful creative work, from marketing to scientific research, finds the perfect balance between being innovative and being grounded in something the audience already understands.

The pursuit of pure originality is often a status game that leads to incomprehensible ideas. A more effective approach is to see originality as a new way to show people an old, constant truth. This re-frames innovation as a novel form of derivation, making it more accessible and relatable.

To increase the "memobility" of your ideas so they can spread without you, package them into concise frameworks, diagrams, and stories. This helps others grasp and re-transmit your concepts accurately, especially when you can connect a customer pain to a business problem.

When people don't understand your point, it's often a sign that you are not meeting them where they are. Instead of pushing forward impatiently, you must go back to their starting point, re-establish shared assumptions, or reframe the message from their perspective.

To introduce a new idea, a leader shouldn't dictate terms. Instead, they should pose it as a discussion topic and listen to the language the team uses (e.g., "cost of living" vs. "inflation"). Adopting their terminology builds shared understanding and makes people feel heard, which enables collective action.

People rarely adopt a complex philosophy for its deepest virtues initially. They are drawn in by practical, accessible benefits like productivity or resilience. This strategy of using a simple entry point creates a funnel, allowing for the introduction of more profound and nuanced concepts to an already engaged audience over time.

A principle from fashion states that successful product iterations typically change only one core element at a time. Introducing two or three significant changes at once often fails because it overwhelms the consumer. This 'one egg' rule forces focus on the most impactful innovation.

To create a successful new product, find the balance between what consumers already know and what is new. If a product is too familiar, it lacks differentiation. If it's too novel, it becomes foreign and difficult for consumers to adopt, creating a high barrier to entry.

Introduce New Ideas Using an 80% Familiar, 20% New Framework to Avoid Rejection | RiffOn