Photo by Kyle May

Killing Ideas

A few reasons why it’s challenging to execute an idea:

1. It requires buy in.
2. It requires the right team
3. It requires timing
4. It may have been done already
5. Most ideas never come to fruition

Given these hurdles, it’s understandable why many in the workplace are discouraged from pitching ideas.

Businesses should consider shifting their culture in two ways:

1. Embrace idea generation among employees of all levels. This could be done through a formal processes, like a digital suggestion box or email address. Or it could mean asking leaders to allow direct idea-pitching.
2. Get employees comfortable with their ideas being killed. Because #5 above is the hardest truth to swallow. Google, arguably one of the most innovative companies in the world, kills more ideas than it executes.

I know of an organization that develops dozens of ideas at a time. When they bring a product to market, they celebrate with beer. When they kill one, they celebrate with champagne.

They drink a lot more champagne than they do beer.

And it’s helped shift the culture.

This is the kind of mindset that we need more of.