Have you ever dismissed a solution simply because it came from someone else? Or perhaps resisted a brilliant idea proposed by a rival team? You might be a victim of the “Not Invented Here Syndrome” (NIHS). This cognitive bias can stifle innovation, hinder progress, and even damage relationships, and understanding it is crucial for anyone striving for better thinking and decision-making.

1. What is Not Invented Here Syndrome? #

Simply put, the Not Invented Here Syndrome is the tendency to avoid using or buying products, research, or knowledge developed outside a group or organization. It’s a preference for homegrown solutions, even when superior alternatives exist elsewhere. It boils down to, “If we didn’t think of it, it’s not worth considering.”

Psychologically, NIHS is rooted in several factors. From an evolutionary perspective, favoring your own “tribe’s” ideas could have increased survival chances. Trusting familiar sources and maintaining group cohesion were crucial in a world of limited resources and potential threats. Today, this manifests as:

• Ego Protection: Accepting an external idea can feel like admitting a failure or lack of creativity.
• Group Identity: NIHS strengthens group identity and boundaries. “Us” versus “Them” becomes a powerful motivator, even if counterproductive.
• Effort Justification: After investing time and energy into developing something, admitting an external solution is better can feel like a waste.

2. Why We Fall For It #

The mechanisms behind NIHS are a potent mix of cognitive and emotional forces. It’s not always about malice; often, it’s subconscious.

Consider the endowment effect, a cognitive bias where people ascribe more value to things they own, even if they are objectively no different from something someone else owns. This can extend to ideas. “Our” idea feels inherently more valuable because we’ve invested our mental effort into it.

Another contributing factor is loss aversion. Accepting an external solution can be framed as “losing” the opportunity to develop our own, even if the external solution is superior overall. This perceived loss weighs heavier than the potential gains of adopting the better solution.

The famous Xerox PARC example, where many of their groundbreaking inventions were not commercially exploited by Xerox because they were seen as outside the core business or “not invented here,” is a classic illustration. They invented the GUI (Graphical User Interface), Ethernet, the laser printer and other game-changing technologies but failed to fully capitalize on them.

3. Examples in Real Life #

Here are some examples of NIHS in action:

• Hiring Decisions: A company refuses to hire a talented candidate from a competitor, fearing that their expertise might be “tainted” by the other company’s methods, even if those methods are superior.
• News Consumption: People primarily consume news from sources that align with their existing beliefs, dismissing information from opposing viewpoints as “fake news” or biased propaganda. This reinforces existing biases and polarizes opinions.
• Health Decisions: Individuals stubbornly stick to familiar remedies or advice, even when presented with evidence-based treatments recommended by qualified professionals. “My grandma always did it this way, and it worked for her!”

4. Consequences of the Bias #

The consequences of unchecked NIHS can be significant:

• Stifled Innovation: Refusing to consider external ideas limits the pool of potential solutions and hinders innovation.
• Wasted Resources: Investing time and resources in reinventing the wheel is inefficient and costly.
• Missed Opportunities: Ignoring superior alternatives can lead to missed market opportunities and competitive disadvantages.
• Polarized Opinions: Dismissing opposing viewpoints creates echo chambers and reinforces existing biases.

5. How to Recognize and Reduce It #

The first step in overcoming NIHS is recognizing it in yourself and others. Here are some practical strategies:

• Ask “Why Not?”: Whenever you find yourself dismissing an external idea, challenge yourself to articulate specifically why it’s not viable.
• Seek Diverse Perspectives: Actively seek out opinions from outside your immediate group or organization.
• Devil’s Advocate Thinking: Assign someone the role of challenging the prevailing viewpoint and advocating for external solutions.
• Pre-Mortem Analysis: Before embarking on a new project, imagine it has failed and brainstorm the reasons why. This can help identify potential blind spots and encourage consideration of external solutions.
• Focus on Outcomes, Not Ownership: Prioritize the best possible outcome, regardless of the source of the solution.
• Embrace “Steal With Pride”: Adopt a culture that encourages learning from others and adapting their ideas to fit your specific needs.

6. Cognitive Biases That Interact With This One #

Confirmation Bias: We tend to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them. This reinforces NIHS by making us more likely to dismiss external ideas that challenge our preconceived notions.

Dunning-Kruger Effect: This bias leads people with limited knowledge to overestimate their competence. Individuals affected by this bias may dismiss external expertise, wrongly believing that they already possess sufficient knowledge or skills to solve the problem internally. This can intensify the effect of the Not Invented Here Syndrome.

7. Conclusion #

The Not Invented Here Syndrome is a pervasive cognitive bias that can have far-reaching consequences. By understanding its psychological roots, recognizing its manifestations in our daily lives, and implementing strategies to counteract it, we can foster a more open-minded and innovative approach to problem-solving.

So, the next time you find yourself dismissing an idea simply because it wasn’t “invented here,” ask yourself: Are you protecting your ego, or are you truly seeking the best possible solution? Are you willing to open yourself to external brilliance?