A manager asks, “What should I do when someone on the team is excited about an idea, but I’m not?”
10 responses to imperfect ideas:
- Listen to the idea’s story. What made you think of this idea?
- Monitor their emotions. Watch for light in the eyes. Does your culture cause idea-generators to protect themselves? Are you a nit-picker or a nay-sayer? I hope you see how foolish this is.
- Reflect the light. If they dare to light up, light up with them. Find the good in their imperfect idea.
- Clarify short-term objectives. What can your new idea accomplish this week? Short-term perspectives make it real, ignite urgency, and identify forward-moving behaviors.
- Connect short-term objectives with long-term goals. How does your idea move us toward our preferred future?
- Anticipate success. What does success look like?
- Explore danger, gently. What might go wrong? How can you prepare for contingencies? The truth about imperfect ideas is they create new challenges and problems.
- Give permission for a trial run or pilot program. Lets try it!
- Honor progress and inquire about issues.
- Establish a follow-up meeting to evaluate results. Did you achieve your short-term objectives? Would you like to keep trying? How do you need to adapt?
Solutions:
The old problem you’re trying to solve requires new ideas.4 principles:
- Respect for their idea feels like respect for them.
- Anticipated or imagined problems that kill new ideas are usually exaggerations.
- When you meddle in their new idea, ownership migrates to you.
- When they own it, they make it happen.
