The conventional wisdom is that the sick care, higher education and government establishments are resistant to change. Not true, says theoretical physicist, Leonard Mlodinow, who believes human beings have the unique ability to think flexibly in ways that would unleash an inherent creativity — a skill he calls elastic thinking. In fact, says Mlodinow, human resist negative change but embrace positive change. He claims we are all neophiliacs by nature.

But, for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, embracing change and advocating for it can be hazardous to your career. Beware of these landmines:

1. When to ask for forgiveness instead of permission.
2. When and how to tell truth to authority
3. How to bridge the now with the next and the new
4. How to bridge strategy with execution
5. When to pull the plug
6. When to take the white coat and shove it
7. Being a disruptive intra/entrepreneur v being a disruptive physician
8. Working in a top down hierarchy v one that is bottom up
9. Practicing strategic thinking v strategic planning
10. Thinking you are leading when you are just managing

Embracing change opens doors. You'll know you are innovating when you start making enemies. If you are unsure, download this neophiliapp.

Just realize that the treatments for chronic neophilia are often ineffective and limited.

Arlen Meyers, MD, MBA is the President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs