Be honest, when someone shares an idea do you immediately pick holes in it and offer ideas to make it, in your opinion, better?

Sadly, in my experience most people do this, so I would like to offer a suggested alternative.

When their idea is shared with you, be enthusiastic!

Whether you think it’s good or bad, it doesn’t matter, just encourage them and ask more questions about it.

Amazingly, your positive reaction will give them permission to share more about their idea, which in the process will mean that their idea not only gets validated it will get enhanced by your ‘approval’. Talking out loud enables their creative juices to flow and more thoughts, that ordinarily go unnoticed and unheard, will be spoken. This is such a powerful way to improve and enrich ideas and the only reason that it happened, is that you chose to be less judgmental and more enthusiastic.

Give it a go and see what happens – you may be pleasantly surprised at how little your own ideas are needed; it is your enthusiasm that makes all the difference!