This contributed story by Dr. Michael Feindt, strategic advisor with Blue Yonder, originally appeared in Forbes on Jan. 14, 2021. Excerpts from the story below. To see the full story Forbes.com.

When it comes to seemingly groundbreaking innovation, the length of time it takes some organizations or industries to embrace its adoption seems almost bizarre. If the tech is that good, why isn’t it that sought after? As ever, the answer has very little to do with the system, solution or trend at all, but everything to do with human instinct getting in the way. We are the fault in the innovation chain.

You don’t have to look too far to find familiar examples. Construction as an industry is so renowned for its slow digital uptake that the subject still dominates most expos, events, roundtables and forums. In retail and across the supply chain, we’ve had a front-row seat to companies’ reluctance or resistance when it comes to the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, despite all statistics and data pointing toward its necessity. For the former industry, a recurring issue is the idea of an aging workforce and older decision-makers’ resistance to digitization. And this, in part, explains the human element of the challenge.

However, we can’t just presume these executives are resistant for resistance’s sake. Rather, this is more likely a sign of the disconnect between leadership and those who actually understand the need for these innovations. Those young upstarts, fresh from their studies, with ideas aplenty, are pushing for change but have no reputation nor influence to enact it.

To overcome the issue of technology moving at a snail’s pace, it’s time to put outdated sources of pride aside and put more faith in those that are organically sitting on the cusp of innovation.