The stupidest thing I have ever heard

Want to know the stupidest thing I have ever heard. “We don’t do it that way”. Stupid.

Why don’t we challenge that comment? Maybe out of fear of looking stupid, confrontational or bad.

How many opportunities do we miss out on based on the fear of what people might say or think. Worrying about people’s opinion creates hesitation. In turn we miss opportunities to create something remarkable and innovative.

Here is a snapshot of some of the things I heard from colleagues or senior management when I was in the corporate sector:

“What a waste of money”
“I don’t get it”
“we don’t do it that way”
“that doesn’t sound right to me”
“that’s not a very good plan”
“who is responsible for that/ or this”?

All these comments lead to creating fear in people’s ability to innovate.

Over the past few weeks, a handful of people told me they didn’t get or like my blog. Ouch. However on the flip side, in August we had over 4000 people who came back to read the site more than 8 times. If I listen to the few who don’t get it or choose not to, then I don’t get the opportunity to touch the 4000 who obviously do.

I like the criticism, it creates conversation and a form of motivation. It means I have created something that critics can criticize. And that feels really good.

Don’t be boring. Create something that people will talk about. When the senior manager suggest we don’t do it that way or your plan is flawed, lets not let that stop us. Do something worth doing, feeling bad will fade, feeling good about what you are creating is infectious and inspiring. Which is good for you, your career and your organization.

Here is an example of soething remarkable created from innovating and ignoring fears. I am sure this has had it’s fair share of critiscm. Has not stopped progress though. Enjoy.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 7th, 2009 at 10:50 am and is filed under Creative, STRATEGY. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.