Book: The Human Element by Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal

The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas by Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal

In The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas, Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal explore the often-overlooked psychological barriers that hinder the adoption of innovations. They introduce the concept of “Friction,” identifying four key types: Inertia, Effort, Emotion, and Reactance. By understanding and addressing these frictions, innovators can more effectively facilitate change and ensure their ideas gain acceptance. The authors provide practical strategies to identify and mitigate these resistances, emphasizing that reducing friction is as crucial as adding fuel to drive innovation forward.

Loran Nordgren is a professor of management and organizations at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. His research focuses on the psychological processes that influence the adoption of new ideas and behaviors. Nordgren has received numerous awards for his work, including the Theoretical Innovation Award from the Society of Personality and Social Psychology. He is also the founder of Candor, a software company dedicated to promoting bias-free collaboration and feedback.

David Schonthal is a clinical professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at Kellogg School of Management. With over a decade of experience at the design firm IDEO, he has been instrumental in launching more than 200 new products and services globally. Schonthal also serves as an operating partner at 7Wire Ventures, a healthcare technology-focused venture capital firm, and is a contributing writer to publications such as Forbes, Inc., and Fortune.

For workplace learning professionals, The Human Element offers valuable insights into the psychological resistances that can impede the adoption of new training programs and initiatives. By recognizing and addressing these frictions, trainers and instructional designers can develop more effective strategies to facilitate change, enhance learner engagement, and ensure the successful implementation of new ideas within organizations.