“There is nothing more difficult to undertake, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”Niccolò Machiavelli · Principele · 1532 · Capitolul VI
Introducing a new order is the most difficult, uncertain, and dangerous initiative.
Machiavelli discusses political and social innovations. Those who benefit from the old order resist fiercely, while those who might gain from the new system are skeptical and hesitate to support change until they see concrete results. For example, a reformer introducing a new law faces hostility from the privileged and distrust from the masses.
Why it matters Anyone leading a team, a company, or a community can anticipate resistance and distrust and build strategies to overcome them.