When we try to propose new features or integrations to my business, Do, we take into consideration every idea and we always make sure to involve everyone, regardless of their role in the business . We strive to achieve a holistic range of ideas, from a wide variety of perspectives. And this process is ultimately what guides us to the creation of Great Ideas – the ones we will be able to execute successfully.
If your team members do not invest in your ideas, a "lack of ownership" may seem like a reasonable explanation. But if you do not involve your employees in your decision-making process, it could also be that you are abusing your power and dominating it.
Even amazing ideas can be wasted in such an environment. So, how do you create ideas that people will want to achieve? Here are several steps to follow.
Seeking suggestions from your team
Do you have a corner in the market for good ideas? Well, you could think that's the case, but you probably have team members who could bring some great suggestions to the table.
It's here that brainstorming sessions prove invaluable. By collecting and cataloging everyone's thoughts, you can create a repository of ideas that you can refer to over and over again. But there are two or three things you should know. Brainstorming sessions are often not effective. The ideas that are generated can provide clues and hints on how to proceed, but they are unlikely to be ready-made solutions for the problems in question. In addition, the generation of ideas is a muscle that must be exercised. If you are not in the habit of suggesting ideas on a daily or weekly basis, your top 10 (or even 100) may not be so good.
The same can certainly be said for your team. How often do you actually facilitate brainstorming sessions with them? If you answered "not often", you should not be surprised when the quality of the ideas is not phenomenal.
Dedicate the time to think and reflect
Only time is essential to creating great ideas. Group sessions can help you get an overview of what needs to be done (or what could be done), but they will not necessarily provide you with the most inspired ideas. Again, if you are the only one thinking and thinking and your team is not involved in the process, it will not be invested in your ideas, no matter how good they are.
Encourage your employees to take an hour of their day thinking and thinking. Then ask them to introduce you to their new, more refined ideas. In Do, every morning makes an agenda so we can reference it throughout the day.
Give your team members congruous responsibilities
Once all the ideas have been unveiled and you've had the opportunity to play the alchemy of ideas, it's time to bring the new project to your team. If you take the idea and run with it but do not delegate any responsibility, your employees will not want to run it. And it's not just a question of delegation. It's about understanding the strengths and weaknesses – as well as the likes and dislikes – of your team.
When you give them work that they want to do, work that they do well, or work that you believe that they are able to handle, they will be much more likely to do the necessary to keep the idea alive. After all, they contributed.
If you want to create ideas that people will want to realize, it is necessary to see that brainstorming is a collaborative process. Be sure to hand over the right tasks to the right people. Finally, become a visionary. Bring people excited about the possibilities and remember to help your people and stay engaged in realizing the idea.
Author : Jason Shah is the founder and CEO of Do, a collaborative platform that helps you organize productive meetings.