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The blank stare.
Eyes that look away.
The scentence that starts with “Ummmm….”
Even worse, laughter.
Not the responses you want to encounter after sharing an idea you thought was really great – yet I’ve expereinced them all, many times.
Sharing an idea is one of the most vulnerable things you can do in business.
You risk rejection and judgement.
Yet… ideas are necessary for business growth. And importantly, career growth.
You need to share ideas to be seen as a thought leader, especially sharing them with senior management.
So… is there any way for you to increase the probabiliy of a positive reaction when sharing your ideas?
YES!
It’s all about HOW you share it.
"To sit on an idea or fail to act on a goal is not really goal-setting, but wishful thinking."
Do these 3 key things when first sharing an idea:
1) Share your idea in “draft” form.
2) Ask, what about this idea works well?
3) Ask, what would be even better if addressed?
What??? Aren’t you supposed to have all the answers as a thought leader?
Actually… no.
You’re a thought leader if you provoke thought.
It’s the diversity of perspectives that gives an idea strength.
But it’s up to the leader of that idea to be curious enough to improve their own idea.
Leaving the idea in a daft form signals to the other person, there’s room to build, adapt and mold it.
Asking those two questions shows you’re actively looking to make it better.
And provoking thought from senior leaders about your idea seeds the idea. It gets them engaged in the creation, building connection and commitment.
Have an idea you haven’t shared yet?
Well… now you can.
– Laura @ Mindtap
“To sit on an idea or fail to act on a goal is not really goal-setting, but wishful thinking.”
– Les Brown
American Politician and Motivational Speaker