Daily Inspiration: Innovation – “Don’t just show up. Show up with ideas!”

“Don’t just show up. Show up with ideas!” – Futurist Jim Carroll

There are a lot of people who go through the motions. Put in the minimums. Barely get involved. Never contribute. The fact is, it never ends up working well for them.

Are you one of those people? Consider how this puts you out of touch with the rest of those around you:

• No one likes the person who only tears ideas down rather than offering up their own
• No one remembers the person who doesn’t have ideas.
• No one gets inspired by the person who never contributes.
• No one finds optimism in someone who is always negative.
• No one likes it when someone hoards their ideas, depriving the group of potential solutions.
• No one likes the person who constantly shoots down ideas without offering alternatives.
• No one likes it when someone stays silent instead of contributing their thoughts.
• No one likes to work with someone who lacks initiative and never tries to move things forward
• No one likes working with someone who always plays it safe and never takes risks with their ideas.
• No one likes working with someone who lacks the confidence to share their ideas.
• No one likes it when someone fails to follow through on their promises to contribute ideas.
• No one likes working with someone who always insists on doing things their way
• No one likes it when someone is quick to criticize but slow to offer constructive solutions.
• No one likes it when someone uses their ideas to gain personal recognition at the expense of others
• No one likes working with someone who lacks the integrity to give credit where credit is due for ideas.
• No one likes it when someone manipulates the conversation to steer it away from challenging ideas.
• No one likes working with someone who lacks the patience to listen to other ideas

On the other hand, the flip side is true for those who do take the time to contribute:

• No one likes the feeling of being stuck in a stagnant environment where there are no new ideas.
• No one likes being in a group where their contributions aren’t valued or acknowledged.
• No one likes to feel like their voice doesn’t matter
• No one likes it when someone dismisses their ideas without giving them proper consideration.
• No one likes feeling like their ideas are falling on deaf ears.
• No one likes it when someone monopolizes the conversation with their ideas.
• No one likes feeling like they’re the only one responsible for generating ideas.
• No one likes working in an environment where creativity is stifled and new ideas are discouraged.
• No one likes feeling like their ideas are constantly being overshadowed by others.
• No one likes it when someone shoots down their ideas without giving them a chance to explain
• No one likes it when someone shuts down a creative brainstorming session with negativity.
• No one likes feeling like their ideas are being dismissed because of who they are.
• No one likes feeling like their ideas are being used by others without credit or recognition.
• No one likes feeling like their ideas are constantly being judged and evaluated.
• No one likes feeling like their ideas are being ignored because they don’t fit the status quo
• No one likes it when someone dismisses their ideas as irrelevant or unimportant.
• No one likes feeling like their ideas are being co-opted by others
• No one likes it when someone uses their ideas to assert dominance or control over others.
• No one likes it when someone belittles their ideas with sarcasm or ridicule.
• No one likes feeling like their ideas are being dismissed because they don’t fit into preconceived notions of what’s possible.

Ideas are currency. Ideas are valuable. Ideas are fuel for innovation momentum. Recognize them for the criticality of what they represent, and treat them with respect – regardless of where you fit on the spectrum of participation!