A question that comes up frequently in my innovation keynotes or innovation workshops is a scenario that plays out like this:
Jeff: Hey, Jane. Your idea to change our XYZ process was great. I’m glad you brought it up at the last team meeting.
Jane: Thanks Jeff. I hope we’ll do something about it.
Jeff: Yeah, so do I. Sadly, it probably won’t go anywhere.
Jane: Wouldn’t be the first time. The last fifty ideas in our team didn’t go anywhere either.
As we look for new solutions for the challenges we face, we need creativity to come up with ideas. Creativity is the key to developing ideas – but it is not enough to turn them into new solutions. Turning an idea into a new solution requires action. But that’s easier said than done when there are several hurdles in our way (and if you can imagine yourself in the conversation between Jeff and Jane, you’ll know some of them). Here are two of the skills we need to turn an idea into a new solution:
Make a great pitch: Did we really do our best to pitch the idea? It’s easy to focus on the idea and its details (possibly because we like them and have spent quite some time thinking it through) and not on the benefits it has for others. The best way to pitch an idea is with a story. Stories are great because they convey emotions, allow us to share experiences, and talk about the “why.” Most of all, they allow us to be more personal. A good story is one where you make yourself at least a little bit vulnerable. In more cases than not, you’ll connect with others in a way that you haven’t before, and it will help you get your ideas across.
Take a risk: We’re not quite ready to pitch the idea. The next step is to put ourselves on the line. It could mean doing something that we haven’t done before, where we don’t know what reaction cbd products expect. Or it could be doing something without having permission to do it. It means putting ourselves behind the idea and going with it. It could also mean doing something that makes us uncomfortable (hint: getting uncomfortable is a great way to learn and grow). Don’t get me wrong – I’m not suggesting to take a jump-off-the-cliff type of risk. Instead, think of risk on a scale from 1 to 10. Then, ask yourself what risk level buycbdproducts normally comfortable with and notch it up by one or two.
Make it real
Over the next week, think of ideas that you have suggested recently that didn’t (yet) go anywhere. Think about a personal story that you can tell to pitch the idea, and tell that story several times. See if you get a different reaction.
Think about the risks that you can take to implement your idea or get it closer to reality. Don’t get stuck on the reasons of why the risk is too great – take action on a risk that’s just a little bigger than you would normally take.
Learn more about my innovation workshops or innovation keynotes.