Nothing wrong with being a Laggard (5 stages of tech adoption)
New technology is constantly emerging, transforming the way we work, communicate, and live. It’s fascinating to take a step back and notice what we get curious about and explore, and what we resist or ignore.
A few years ago I dived straight into Substack, I was on their first Substack writers community programmes. I dived straight into Clubhouse when it started. I dived straight into Bluesky. Perhaps an early adopter, but that comes with a disadvantage, and it’s the same thing that makes me get involved in new things - boredom. I get bored with same stuff, so new stuff is gold to me. Saying all of that I have come up against huge resistance when to comes to AI. I have to force myself to play with it yet. But the thought of using all that water just playing brings on guilt. And I retreat.
I think I am actually much more inclined to be a Laggard these days - let someone else jump in, work it it, sell me a course on how to do it. But it’s an intetsting thing to notice. Because being first, and staying around long enough to be an expert definitely has its advantages.
It’s a reminder that we all navigate change at different paces depending on what we think we can gain from the new thing. We are not always an innovator, we are not always a laggard.
Why does this happen? And how can understanding these differences help businesses, teams, and individuals navigate change more effectively? Well just noticing is a good start. And digging around about why you feel the way you do. Sometimes it’s time and effort, sometimes it’s fear, sometimes we just can’t be arsed.
Everett Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory was developed in 1962, this framework explains how new ideas, products, or technologies spread through society, categorising us into five distinct adoption stages. Have a play with these stages and see if any help you to understand how you are navigating tech (and change in general) right now.
1. Innovators (2.5%) – The Pioneers of ‘New’
Innovators are the risk-takers, the visionaries, and the first to try new technologies. They are eager to experiment, often drawn to cutting-edge advancements before they even become mainstream. These individuals are comfortable with uncertainty and play a crucial role in driving innovation forward. If you’re launching a new product or introducing a change, targeting innovators first can help build early momentum. Their enthusiasm can inspire others to follow. For example, the first adopters of virtual reality (VR) or cryptocurrency were innovators, testing and promoting these technologies before the general public understood them. If you are an ‘innovator’ you may experience some of the fails and setbacks that comes in a new space. You’ll need an experimental mind to work things out that maybe have no answers right now.
2. Early Adopters (13.5%) – The Influencers & Trendsetters
Early adopters embrace change, but more strategically. They are opinion leaders who are open to new ideas, but they also evaluate the potential benefits before jumping in. Unlike innovators, who adopt for the thrill of the new, early adopters seek practical value and influence others’ decisions. If you want to introduce change in a workplace or community, gaining support from early adopters can create a ripple effect, influencing the majority to follow. It can be excited and rewarding to be an early adopter, but you are proablby still going to be working things out along sode the innovators and creators.
3. Early Majority (34%) – The Pragmatic Adopters
The early majority waits until a technology is proven and widely accepted before adopting it. They are practical, cautious, and rely on reviews, testimonials, and social proof to make decisions. If you want to accelerate change, providing clear benefits, case studies, and reassurance will encourage this group. For example many of us hesitated to adopt remote work tools like Zoom and Slack until the pandemic forced us to embrace digital communication.
4. Late Majority (34%) – The Skeptics
The late majority resists change until it becomes absolutely necessary. They adopt technology only when it becomes a norm or requirement, often due to pressure from peers, organisations, or society. Understanding reluctance allows us to address concerns with strong evidence, training, and user-friendly solutions. Like those who only transitioned to online banking or cloud storage once it became standard across industries. And the problem we now have with Parking Apps. 5. Laggards (16%) – The Traditionalists
Laggards strongly resist change, often sticking to traditional ways of doing things. They may lack trust in new technology, have limited access to resources, or feel overwhelmed, or just see absolutely no benefit to them. Laggards require patience, personalised support, and clear explanations to help them adapt. Providing alternatives that respect their comfort and interest level is key. Some individuals still prefer flip phones over smartphones, using cash instead of digital payments, or avoiding social media altogether. It can be a lifestyle choice as well as resistance or fear.
Why Understanding Tech Adoption Matters
Tech is all around us. It’s a major driver of change and often the thing we get stuck with - either wasting time on, or resisting and not embracing. So understanding ourselves through this lens and why we aren’t adopting quickly and understanding our agency in that decision - because it is OK not to just dive straight in. We feel under pressure to get involved and know all the thinsg at once, in case we get left behind. But I woudl suggest in this ever changing World there is no longer a ‘left behind’. There is only the place you are choosing to be, as long as you are fully aware of the options and the decisions you are making to approach them.