Overcome Resistance – Have an Outsider Deliver Your Idea

The process of innovation requires selling ideas and the change they invite.  Since most people are change adverse, knowing how to sell your ideas can make the difference between success and failure.

There was in interesting report on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition that can offer us some suggestions.  The core insight as it relates to selling ideas is that they are seen as more credible when they are presented by an outsider or someone that is less familiar to the decision-makers.

Does it make sense that the exact same idea would be more valued if it is presented by someone outside your organization as opposed to you?  No.  Is it an unavoidable part of human nature.  Yes?

And in reality, this is not a new concept.  A well known Bible verse tells us that “a prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”

So what does this mean to you?  Consider having some of your more threatening or radical ideas delivered by outsiders or at least people who are not as familiar to the decision-makers.  You will have to put your ego in your pocket and bite your tongue as you see your idea delivered by others.  But the goal is to make a difference and that may just be what is required.
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A transcript of the NPR report titled “Why We Miss Creative Ideas That Are Right Under Our Noses” is available at:
http://www.npr.org/2014/02/26/282836487/why-we-miss-creative-ideas-that-are-right-under-our-noses

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