Great Ideas are Overrated
I know, it sounds like a ridiculous statement meant to grab your attention. And to a degree, it is. But I stand behind it. Great ideas are a beautiful thing — they change the way we live; they change the way we think; but their creators often underestimate the change management that’s required to bring them to life. As a result, most great ideas die on the vine.
We’ve all seen great ideas that fall flat during implementation. The challenge is that organizations are people, and if people don’t embrace the idea, it doesn’t matter how great it sounds on paper, it isn’t going anywhere. Most organizations obsess about great ideas but undervalue the importance of obtaining the human support required to successfully implement them.
How can you avoid failure when implementing your great ideas? Embrace these three principles:
1. Involve those affected: You’re most likely to embrace an idea if you think you helped generate it. Bring the people that are affected into the mix early by enabling them to ask questions, share concerns, and contribute ideas. They’ll be more likely to embrace the forthcoming change as a result.
2. Make compromises: You’re unlikely to move the needle if you listen to the concerns of those affected yet do nothing to placate them. Don’t be so married to every aspect of your idea that you’re unable to make concessions. If you’re encouraging people to change behaviour, find opportunities to make adjustments that ease the transformation. It’s important here to pick your battles wisely so that the net outcome retains its integrity.
3. Highlight quick wins: Momentum is a powerful force and everyone wants to be on the winning side. As your idea exits the starter’s block, generate momentum by highlighting the immediate impact that’s being realized. This will create excitement and encourage buy-in.
If your ideas aren’t getting through, don’t blame those impacted, consider whether there’s opportunity to apply these principles to encourage support. Remember, the carrot is usually more powerful than the stick.
