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Heuristics

Introduce Change as an Evolution, Not Revolution

How can we introduce new ideas that conflict with a team member's deeply held beliefs?

Recognize that challenging someone’s methods can feel like an attack on their professional identity or core beliefs. Introduce change as a small differentiator or evolution of their existing model, rather than a complete replacement. Meet people where they are to avoid triggering a defensive reaction and allow for gradual adoption.

Examples

If a team is committed to UML, start by using their existing diagrams collaboratively before introducing a completely different technique. This respects their current model while gently evolving the collaborative practice.

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