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# Why Does Innovation Take Longer Than Expected?
- URL: https://www.philmckinney.com/why-does-innovation-take-longer-than-expected/
- Published: 2013-07-24T13:29:23.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-01T14:10:26.000Z
- Author: Phil McKinney
- Tags: Past Shows, Studio Sessions, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-03-26 05:08

Download [KI\_2013\_02\_Law\_of\_Patience\_Innovation\_Takes\_Longer\_Than\_You\_Think.mp3](http://media.libsyn.com/media/philmckinney/KI%5F2013%5F02%5FLaw%5Fof%5FPatience%5FInnovation%5FTakes%5FLonger%5FThan%5FYou%5FThink.mp3?ref=philmckinney.com)

During a recent meeting where team members provide updates on their innovation projects, one of the project leads pushed back when I challenged the team to “go faster”. All the person said was: Law #4.

The person was quoting from a blog post called the 7 Laws of Innovation. Law #4 is the Law of Patience. In this case, the project lead was on the mark by pushing back on me. I had gotten so excited about the project that I had lost my patience.

When we loose our patience, we exhibit worry and anger. If we are the boss, we have a tendency to want to jump in to the project and start micromanaging.

So what should you do when you feel you patience is waning on a project?

1. **Take a deep breath**: Step back from the project. Go spend a few days helping someone else with their project. Then come back with fresh eyes.
2. **Re-read the Law of Patience**: Since I got that gentle rebuke from a project lead, I’ve gone back and refreshed my memory with the 7 Laws. Each one of us needs to be reminded from time to time.
3. **Find a coach/mentor**: Find someone who you can check your concerns with. You might be valid in your concern – but then again, you could be inpatient.
4. **Get Perspective**: Take a vacation. Get away from it all and don’t think about work. You don’t want to the turn into “that person”.

Innovation takes longer than you expect. Get used to it.