How to Get Your Boss to Support Your Ideas

How to Get Your Boss to Support Your IdeasHow to Get Your Boss to Support Your IdeasMost managers are always looking for good ideas. They also often have experience, know mora, and are in a good fleck to evaluate the merits of an idea. When they reject your idea, chances are, your idea may bedrngnis have been as good as you thought, or maybe you didnt do a good job pitching it. Another reality is that most ideas are never implemented. Lets compare it to baseball With a 300 average (three ideas implemented out of 10), youre an all-star. But if you never even step up to the plate, or take a swing, your batting average will always be zero. So start by having a realistic expectation of what success is when it comes to innovation. What can you do to ensure your ideas are heard? Managers are as different as people are different, so theres no one way that will work for all. Knowing your managers style will help, so you can adapt your approach. For example, usinga social styles model, a Driv er will want you to get to the point and present the facts. With an Amiable, youll have a better chance if youve built a good relationship first. Analytics need to see the data, while Expressives can be swayed with pizazz.For most managers, consider the following tips. Develop an Inspiring Vision of Your Idea Describe it in a way that brings out your enthusiasm, your passion, and commitment. Most people have a hard time not listening to someone thats genuinely fired up about something. And if youre not excited about it, how can you expect someone else to be interested? Do Your Homework Take the time to think it over, list the pros and cons, and come up with a plan. Check to see if its been thought out or tried before, and find out what the results were. In other words, dont waste your managers time thinking out loud- do your thinking on your own time, then present a well-developed idea. Test Your Idea Test your ideawith a few trusted co-workers. See if it makes sense to them, ask them to be critical, and provide feedback. Listen, check for their understanding to see how well youre explaining it. While you shouldnt let resistance squash your enthusiasm, be prepared to accept that if five people tell you its ugly, it just might be ugly. Benefits Here are some ideas are more likely to get your managers attention A way toreduce expensesA way to increase revenueA way to get more done with fewer people (improve efficiency)A solution to a problem your manager has been trying to solveAn idea that will help your department achieve one or more of its goalsAn idea that will help one of your co-workers be more successful (rarely do we come up with these kinds of ideas, that is, being an advocate for your peers, and not just yourself or your manager) Avoid These Kinds of Ideas Here are a few ideas that are more likely to lose your managers interest in the first three minutes Something obviously self-promoting, or blatant empire-buildingA way to make you r job easier, but at other peoples expenseSomething that has a great potential to embarrass your manager (and you)Something thats going to cost a lot of money in a tight economyAn idea built on the assumption that 225Fluff Respond Appropriately When you present your idea, answer your managers questions patiently and with respect. If you dont know the answer, admit it, and commit to getting the answer. Be Flexible If your manager starts making suggestions, then youre there That means he/she is starting to buy in, and taking some shared ownership. Dont be rigid about the details give a little- if anything, just to get buy-in. Who knows, your managers suggestions just might improve your chances for success. Dont Demand Credit Be willing to let goof the notion that the idea is yours. The best ideas are the ones where multiple stakeholders have had a hand in shaping, and youve been able to build a broad base of ownership and support. Insisting that you get credit for your ide a will be seen as immature and selfish. Dont worry enough people will become aware of your involvement, especially if you keep coming up with good ideas. Dont expect your name and picture to be inscribed on the idea. Decide on Who Else Should Be Involved Determine who the stakeholders are, who will be impacted the most, whose support you need, and who else could contribute to refining the idea. Agree on who should talk to whom and by when. If Needed, Follow Up With a More Detailed, Formal Business Case Ideas are a dime a dozen, but the execution is what separates the great from the average. This is not a drop and run. That is, drop your proposal or business case on your managers desk and sit back and wait. Step up and take personal responsibility for making sure the idea gets implemented. Thats a good way to get yourself heard the next time.