Everett Rogers, Coach Lichtenberger & You

Diffusion of Innovations

Innovators are the first people attracted to a new idea, making up roughly 2.5% of adopters. They are typically risk takers who are younger, highly social, financially able to absorb failure, and often connected to other innovators. Their resources and openness allow them to experiment with ideas before the value is proven, which makes them essential in testing and introducing change before broader groups are ready to follow.

Early Adopters often have the strongest opinion leadership among adopter categories. They tend to be younger, better educated, higher in social status, financially flexible, and socially forward, but they are more selective and deliberate than innovators. Because their choices influence others, Early Adopters help legitimize a new idea and move it from experimental use toward wider acceptance.

Which is your bucket?

Mike Lichtenberger shared a organization theory shaped when he was coach of the Lehigh University Ice Hockey Club and served as a District coaching authority for USA Hockey. Coach Lichtenberger's idea sets every player in "bucket" based on attitude and ability.

The A-BUCKET player is the person always at the front of the line for drills. he has the top skill, sees the game with anticipation, and can execute instruction flawlessly.

The B-BUCKET player has everything a coach could hope for except the skillset to match the very best. They work hard, learn, understand, and play with discipline. Championships depend on their discipline and wisdom.

A C-BUCKET PLAYER is the star talent you wish would miss practice. They are the star talent who lags in the back of the line for every drill, disruptive, inattentive, seen it all, knows it all. The solo show who dazzles and knows better than anyone that every failure has an explanation.

The D-Bucket contains less skill and little discipline.

Think about yourself, your history with organization. Think about your workplace. Think about the clubs you belong to and the teams where you have competed. Recall your last PTA meeting, your church, or the pickleball club you've joined.

People in any organization come with great ideas shaped to practical use from the experiences and energy of other people who get it. This is the Bucket A and Bucket B talent that built success. Do you know where you fit?

A Toolkit: Structure and Support

Successful strategy is built from a disciplined hierarchy. Vision must be clear and fixed, articulated in a mission that ensures the tactical initiatives within the strategy are always fixed to the same purpose.