‘Skeuomorphism.’
It’s not about making new things look old. It’s about making unfamiliar things feel familiar enough to understand & adopt – I think there is a lesson here for all of us tasked with leading change.
Too often, transformation introduces new technology, new processes & new language simultaneously. We optimise for novelty & forget the value of familiarity.
Take AI.
“We’re introducing AI into our operating model.”
What does that actually mean to most people?
Compare it with:
“Imagine I’m giving you a new junior analyst. They can research, reconcile data, produce a first draft & identify anomalies – but you review their work before anything goes out.”
Same transformation. Much easier mental model. It feels like additional support. I understand what it can do, what my role is & where I retain control.
That is skeuomorphism for the mind: preserving enough of the old world to help people operate intuitively in the new one.
It doesn’t stymie progress. In fact, it can accelerate it.
So, if you’re embarking on a transformation, introducing new technology, or changing how people work, ask: What familiar mental model could make this change easier to understand?
Technology companies have been doing this in product design for decades. Perhaps change leaders should do more of it too.
If you’re navigating significant change & want to explore how to bring your people with you, message me here or at rupert@strongerhumans.com.
#strongerhumans #leadingchange
