Idea Killers

They lurk at every meeting. Usually they are not very productive people. They feel their sole purpose is to kill every idea that comes forward. They are poison.

I am known as a man who has many ideas on all things. Some are downright silly; others are brilliant. When I present an idea to a group, it has usually been well thought out.

Then it happens. Somebody asserts his or her authority and tells everyone why something can’t be done. They launch the torpedo and another good idea bites the dust.

Recently I realized something I never though of before. I don’t need these negative people. I already know why something may fail. The types of people I want around me are people who will figure out how to make something succeed.

I have no problem with somebody taking one of my ideas and making it better. I admire people like this. What I don’t like are people who delight in finding the flaw to kill something.

Next time I am confronted with one of these nay-sayers, I am going to ask him, “How do we make it work?”

Just think where we would be today if these mandrakes of doubt had won every battle. Fortunately, there have been people in this world who have pressed on in spite of what others have said. They have believed in their dream and did what it took to make it happen.

Both approaches change an idea. One drags it down to its death. The other lifts it up to its full potential. Surround yourself with the latter and I believe you and I will be on the road to success.