There's art in having ideas, and there's science in receiving them from team members. Here are five ways to improve your idea-receiving skills.

1. 5 Tips For
Receiving Ideas
From Others.

2. 1. Be a routi.
In ancient Polynesian wars,
routis were the orators for battles.
Their job was to mingle with warriors
during conflicts and cheer them on.
Be your organization’s routi for creativity.
Spread passion and enthusiasm.
Paint visions of creative success.

3. 2. Be an idea catcher.
The greatest fastball pitcher in baseball
can’t succeed unless someone
is there to catch his sizzling throws.
Creativity is also a team sport.
Creative folks can’t succeed
unless they have catchers
to listen to and value their ideas.

4. 3. Be accessible.
Fresh ideas have short shelf lives.
If people have to wait in line to see you,
their ideas will wither and die.
Block times in your day
to be available to anyone
who wants to air a fresh idea.
Have an open door and open mind policy.

5. 4. Be satisfied.
If you always add on or make changes
to every idea presented,
people will think their ideas
are never good enough.
When receiving good ideas, let them stand.
Let the idea’s creator bask in glory.
There’ll be time later for refinements.

6. 5. Be accountable.
You rely on team members for ideas.
They rely on you to advance those ideas.
Or to explain why an idea is delayed or shot down.
Provide on-going feedback
about the stride or stall of every idea
you receive from team members.
And when ideas succeed, celebrate!

7. Sam Harrison
Sam is an in-demand speaker and best-selling author
on creativity-related topics and presentation skills.
His books include IdeaSpotting: How to find your next great idea,
IdeaSelling: Successfully pitch your creative ideas
to bosses, clients and other decision makers and
Zing!: Five steps and
101 tips for creativity on command.
To have Sam provide a keynote or workshop to your group,
please visit www.zingzone.com or phone 770.908.2225.
Content on the previous slides first appeared in an article written
by Sam Harrison for Fast Company and posted on 1/9/14.
©samharrison2014