Eliminate Idea Ownership
Empower ideators to build on each other instead of against each other.
Ideas grow easier when owned by many
When an idea "belongs" to someone or a group, they will equate their own success with the success of the idea itself. Idea ownership tends to lead towards people hiding any failure or downplaying setbacks. To avoid this: Make sure your team understands ideas are dime a dozen ownership does not matter. Try to give the ownership of long-term problems to people or groups. Avoid reminding people with phrases like "this was your idea". This might increase stress rather than be heard as a praise.
Example:
When a Jane or a Joe is associated with an idea, they will do everything within their power to bring that idea to fruition. They might think that their career depends on whether that idea makes it to the market. In some companies they might even be right. We are all enamored with stories of the sole inventor "who never gave up" until their sole idea made it to the market. Edison actually invented the first phonograph but was so obsessed with the home recording feature that he missed the recorded music market completely and almost went bankrupt.
© 2025 Bilgi Karan