Fads vs. Trends: How Organizations Can Tell the Difference (and Why It Matters)

Mixing up fads and trends often leaves executives frustrated, confused, and—worst of all—fearful of innovation.

Understanding the difference between fads and trends is critical for all organizations. However, many leaders seem to be unaware of their important differences. Both fads and trends can play important roles in an organization’s success—but they must be treated differently. If they are not, leaders risk burning out from adapting to every fad, and critical trends required for an organization's survival may be missed. Let’s start by looking into fads and trends individually.