What if you committed, for a little while, to verbalize the great ideas that pop into your head? The important, risky (-seeming) ideas that represent what’s really on your mind. The ones that you don’t say because they’re a bit too real, too honest, too to the point.
There are few skills more important than being able to say the right thing at the right time in the right way to shift a whole conversation.
One-on-one conversations, group conversations, high-stakes and low-stakes conversations, all are susceptible to that kernel of truth and insight that breaks them wide open.
The entire business school case method is geared, ultimately, towards teaching this skill. For two years you sit with 85 incredibly bright people, and the class is orchestrated by a Professor who, if she’s good, is looking for just one thing: getting students to learn how to integrate the case content and the points made by other classmates, pulling those threads and her own observations together to get to real insight, all in a way that move the discussion forward.
You can save yourself $200,000 and two years at a top business school by starting, today, to say your great, good and OK ideas out loud. The best place to start? Not necessarily the ideas you think are the best ones. Start with the ideas you’re afraid to say out loud, the ones that make your heart beat a little faster. Fear is a great indicator of how real they are and how much truth they contain.
It’s true that saying these things in a way that they are actually heard is itself an art. But you’ll never practice that art if your most important ideas are kept under lock and key.
As a marketing manager I can attest to the value of simply speaking up and sharing ideas.
Even if you bring up what’s viewed as a “bad” idea, three important things happen: 1) Your voice is heard, that makes you recognizable in the business. 2) You’ll be looked at as an idea person, not just another “cog in the machine.” 3) You’ll gain confidence, share more ideas, and become even more of an important innovator for the business.
Thanks Sasha.
WOW, thats some brilliant advice, thank you ..I love reading your blog and your thoughts, they are truly meaningful..
I liked your reflections Sasha. Hopefully we will se an “explosion” on European foundations and family offices that are looking for (new) entrepreneurial ways of engaging. It is still conventional rules that apply for most parts. MRI’s should be more mainstream than today. Kind regards, Halvor Namtvedt, Norway
Reblogged this on Dig Deeper and commented:
Speak your mind and let your thoughts flow.
Thanks for these inspiring words. I love reading your blog!