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Ever hold back, when you had an idea?
I don’t blame you. You’re right to be wary of sharing new ideas. Most ideas get dismissed and rejected.
Why? Fact is: The brain does NOT love new things.
New things create uncertainty.
And uncertainty can feel like a risk and a threat.
That’s why new ideas are often shot down, even in your own team.
But here’s the thing – there’s a neuroscience-backed way to help others embrace your idea.
When you’re sharing a new idea, stress the parts that are more familiar.
The most successful innovations are 80% familiar and only 20% new.
“Leadership is about making people feel safe.”
Here’s how this works:
→ The 20% new demonstrates why your idea could work
→ The 20% new shows why it’s different from what’s been tried before
→ The 80% familiar gives credibility and certainty
→ The 80% familiar creates a feeling of control
Your idea might be brilliant.
But if it feels risky, it won’t survive the room.
So next time you want to speak with a new idea:
✅ Lead with what people already know and trust
✅ Connect to existing processes or past successes
✅ 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 introduce what makes your idea different
Because when you reduce uncertainty, you reduce resistance.
Your brilliant ideas deserve to be heard.
“Leadership is about making people feel safe.”
Simon Sinek
American author and organizational consultant
