Catching the Lightning when it Strikes

When a good idea occurs it usually happens in a flash.

It can come as a small aside from the quiet person at the far end of the room.

Or it can come as a clearly delivered statement from a voluble contributor.

Or you might have the idea yourself in the middle of someone saying something else.

It doesn’t matter how or when the idea occurs.

What matters above all is to recognise it when it does occur – and seize on it.

Let’s be absolutely clear about this.

Once you’ve elevated the atmosphere and got discussion moving towards achieving the Vision, your whole person will be closely listening out for a great idea.

You’re doing this because it’s so easy for great ideas to slip away as quickly as they arise.

How often do you hear remarks like:

It seemed a good idea at the time, but afterwards we weren’t quite as sure

Everyone had plenty to say, but nothing concrete came out of it.

We seemed to have it then we lost it

In the above examples, the ideas came and went. They weren’t caught, captured, and nailed in pen and ink.

So as soon as you hear a great idea immediately apologise and interrupt.

• Repeat the idea

• Write it down if exact words or numbers matter

• Repeat its benefits aloud

• Indicate its awesomeness by your enthusiasm

• Get someone else to repeat it.

Sorry to interrupt … John – what was that? 70 metres as xyz off the widget. Hang on. Let me write it down.

Karen … give me those exact words again. I’m writing it down.
In other words, cement the situation. Write down the idea, and refer it back to our  Vision.

Spell out how the idea takes us further towards it.

John, if I’ve got this right, this idea will get us to our Vision in half the time.

Karen, This is excellent. This is the link we were looking for!

Quickly make sure everyone understands the idea and is happy with it.

This happiness should be tangible, as in smiles, nods and glances.

Remember: Be enthusiastic, and don’t be frightened of showing your enthusiasm. But make sure your enthusiasm is for the idea and what it can do for the organisation, and not simply enthusiasm for yourself.

For example

This is exciting stuff!

There’s so much we can do with this.

This offers us more possibilities – and we thought of it!

Notice the use of we and not I.

If you’re more retiring or not a naturally enthusiastic person, then fake your enthusiasm. It’s okay to fake it.

Enthusiasm of any sort (even faked enthusiasm) is a very quickly transmittable emotion. People mostly like it. It can set a room on fire.

Don’t worry about faked enthusiasm as this quickly grows to become real enthusiasm.

To summarise:

• You have to be alert for ideas.

• Butt in when they occur

• Write them down

• Get others to agree

• Be enthusiastic

You have to be there to catch the lightning. It’s no use thinking about it all later. It’ll be too late then.

Exercise 14:

How many times are you catching the lightning by asking the person to repeat it, then writing it down?

• Often

• Reasonably often

• Not so often

Are others recognising when a good idea has been “caught”, ie, do you confirm the great idea has arrived?

• Usually

• Not always

• I don’t know, or can’t tell