How to have your ideas heard and not ignored
This concept is near and dear to my heart. In fact when I sat and started to think about topics I could write about this was one of the first to pop into my head. I have a tendency to generate quite a good bit of new and often outlandish ideas. I do this with such frequency that not only does my family mock me for my ideas, often even before presenting the idea, but my friends have started to as well. I will be honest, a lot if not most of my ideas are ridiculous. The ideas that I present that have merit, I don’t always present in the best manner and with the best supporting evidence. More often than not I come with an idea that I’m very enthusiastic about, throw it out there and nothing happens. This can begin to be frustrating from time to time but if I keep a few major points in mind I can help process myself through the frustration.
First, what is the venue for my presentation? The classic new concept scene in any movie or TV show, is the two guys sketching the idea on the back of a cocktail napkin. The next scene, may be them struggling to get an idea to concept in their garage or they may just be instantly successful. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that has started a business or launched a new concept in this manner. This should also not be your presentation for your new idea. On a regular basis I have a tough time getting face time with my dad, he is my primary sounding board for new ideas. When I do get face time it’s typically at a family dinner when he’s popped in to town, limited moments between meetings with clients, or after a long day of bouncing from meeting to meeting and I’m the final appointment for him. From the starting gate my idea doesn’t have a forum for success, so how could I be frustrated with a negative or dismissive response? I have to start by framing an opportunity (a key component to conversation skills is framing the conversation). I need to schedule time for face-to-face interaction with the knowledge that we’re discussing a new idea. Some are saying, “this sounds ridiculous; why should I have to schedule time with my parents”? Well, the fact is, your parents are probably busy for a reason. Respect that fact, don’t try and fight that fact. Learn to adapt to your situation; they don’t HAVE to listen to your idea but they will because they love you.
Second, how am I presenting my idea? Very rarely, in fact almost never, do I use formal tools for presenting new ideas. Meaning, I don’t use excel or power point. However, the one time I did come armed with a spreadsheet I had one of my most productive conversations around a new idea ever. The key was I wasn’t working in the abstract. I had tangible data to have a dialogue about. If you combine that with my framing of the opportunity, I was already ahead of where I have been in previous discussions. I also didn’t start with: “let me tell you about this great idea I had.” I started by asking some questions. I led him to my idea before presenting my idea. I asked him to describe his previous experience with the business model I was seeking to alter. I already knew how he’d describe his experience because it was his discontent that served as the inspiration for my idea. I just needed him think about all of the bad experiences he’d had in the past before I presented what I thought was the solution.
Finally, what supporting evidence have I presented to validate my idea and ensure adoption? Let’s get back to that spreadsheet I said I used earlier. Anytime you are presenting a new idea, it is critical to have done exhaustive amounts of research and data mining. Anyone that will be serious about helping you pursue the idea will have specific questions about the validity and feasibility of the idea. You are in a much stronger position if you have already performed the due diligence and can answer their questions on the spot. By doing so you are not only keeping them engaged in that moment, rather than needing to return to the conversation at a later date. But you are also showing them that you have committed significant effort to the idea already and are more serious about this idea than the idea you presented over beers a few weeks ago. You may have to leave and do further research, and you may be asked to develop your idea into a more formal presentation. I promise you though, if you follow these three steps your chances of getting buy-in are almost 100%, as long as your idea isn’t to invent a space ship to go to Mars.
I can empathize with anyone that has had idea after idea disregarded as outlandish gibberish as if you’re talking about sponsoring a hunt for Bigfoot. Believe me I know how frustrating that is, especially if you actually have a good idea. I remember once I tossed an idea my dad’s way and he totally dismissed it. I simply paused and said: “dad, you didn’t ask me a single question about my idea, you just totally dismissed it.” He was totally taken aback. I wasn’t being rude, I was just calling him out on being dismissive, a trait he knows he exhibits with me at times. The point here though is not that my dad was dismissive, it’s that if I’m owning my 100% of the situation, I need to present my ideas in better settings, in better ways, and with actual research because I’ve “cried wolf” too many times in the past. I am putting all of the responsibility for the reception of new ideas on the next generation. You have to learn to package concepts into a marketable format, and you have to start succeeding with selling your family before you can sell your customers. For lack of a better example, if you are presenting a new idea you are serious about, think of every person you present it to as Mark Cuban on Sharktank. He is going to chew your idea up (and you) 100 times before committing to it. If you aren’t prepared you will most likely leave without a deal.
Good Luck
Practical Summary
- Find the right venue for your presentation, frame the opportunity as a discussion for a new idea.
- Lead with questions to guide your audience to your idea before you reveal your idea.
- Perform exhaustive research and come armed with data to support your concept.