I struggle with a more basic issue here; there are plenty of things at my current job which are just "accepted". Lots of "this is the way it has always been", but are actually really bad for productivity and our ability to do business. I've tried to set out plans to address a few of these issues, and I'm willing to accept the risk that, if I fail, it might reflect so poorly on my career that I'd be fired to have to find a new job.
My problem is simple; how do I convince the person above me in the pecking order that they should even give me space to attempt the project? I keep getting rejected, presumably because if my project fails, it might also reflect poorly on them, and they're not willing to take the risk.
I guess the same would apply to people looking for funding for their mad, overly ambitious startups or projects.
tl;dr: how can you "go after hard things" if nobody is willing to back you because they think it's too hard.
My problem is simple; how do I convince the person above me in the pecking order that they should even give me space to attempt the project? I keep getting rejected, presumably because if my project fails, it might also reflect poorly on them, and they're not willing to take the risk.
I guess the same would apply to people looking for funding for their mad, overly ambitious startups or projects.
tl;dr: how can you "go after hard things" if nobody is willing to back you because they think it's too hard.