Try It Out On Your Team First

Wow! You’re brilliant! You have a great idea. You’ve looked at it every possible way to find holes in your logic, fallacies in your assumptions. You know it will work and you can’t wait to turn your new brainstorm loose then reap the rewards of your genius. I know you’re excited but before you unleash your great idea, first try it out on those around you for analysis, discussion, improvements, and (gasp!) criticism.

The problem is that the creator of an idea rarely has the mental discipline, the insight, and ability to view their idea objectively. They are blinded by the excitement, the energy, and the optimism created by their creativity. Very few great ideas are flawless, some are seriously terrible, most need at least some tweaking, honing and polishing before they enter the marketplace of commerce.

Your staff and others close to you are well suited to be an evaluation team and part of the creative process because they will look at this new initiative through eyes unclouded by your optimism and enthusiasm if you request their effort in a manner that elicits their input in an “idea improvement” process. Be warned however that the way you prepare them to offer their critique is critical. Don’t cloud their judgment by presenting your brainstorm in terms that will set them up to placate you, stroke you, or otherwise attempt to satisfy your ego. Present it to them in a matter-of-fact manner: “I’m thinking of pursuing this project and I’d appreciate you’re your input” will get your audience in a more objective mood than, “I’ve just come up with the greatest idea I’ve ever had!”

If you lay out your logic, the improvements, features and benefits of your great idea without embellishment then sit back and listen to the alternative views the team offers, basic flaws or minor tweaks for improvement will possibly be discovered. Try your brainstorm out on your team, stand back and watch it improve.

Larry Galler coaches and consults with high-performance executives, professionals, and small businesses since 1993. He is the writer of the long-running (every Sunday since November 2001) business column, "Front Lines with Larry Galler" Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.larrygaller.com