A Second Chance For Ideas

I've finished updating the "Thriving for Change" program and I am presenting it today at a manufacturing company in Eastford, CT. Here's another thought from that 6 hour program.

As part of developing a change culture in your organization, never say "no" to an idea without a darn good reason for that “no.” You’ve seen that I’m sure. Maybe it happened to you. Someone submits an idea for change to someone in authority, usually their boss. The boss listens to the idea and then says “No, not going to do that.” The person with the idea asks “Why?” The boss responds with something like: “Because I said so,” or “It will never work,” or “I just don’t want to.”

In a change culture such statements are simply unacceptable. In a change culture no idea can be dismissed without due consideration. In a change culture, ideas can only be dismissed for valid reasons. And those reasons must be conveyed to the idea originator along with suggestions on how the idea might be improved so it can be resubmitted for approval.

Indeed, to prevent ideas from being rejected without proper consideration, I believe every company should have a second chance process. If someone believes an idea was turned down without justification, without a valid reason for the "no," then that person (whether or not that person is the idea originator) should be able to have that idea reviewed at a higher level by people who are drivers of change. That doesn't mean the idea won't be turned down again. But it does mean that the second chance review will be by people who seek to take advantage of as many ideas as possible.


About me: Dan Pelley conducts seminars and teaches programs on topics of interest to managers. Recent additions to his offerings include a six hour seminar titled "Thriving on Change." Today Dan is presenting the program at a company in Eastford, CT. He can present it at your company too.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel W. Pelley
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