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Last week I wrote about the idea killing phrase “Yes, But”. The following evening I joined some colleagues to discuss an ecommerce project they’re working on.

And yes, you guessed it – I caught myself saying “Yes, but…” I was killing their ideas. The good news is that after the first occurrence I caught myself  and was far more supportive and constructive.

What struck me was how easy it was to be negative. Here’s why.

It appears that we are “hard wired” to be negative, or at least to be far more cognitive to the negative. It goes back to our our primitive beginnings when it was necessary for us, as a species, to be constantly on the look out for potential sources of danger.

According to Cognitive researcher Nancy Etcoff, in her Feb 2004 TED presentation

Our negative system is extremely sensitive. It is our sentinal. It is there to protect us from danger.

The following screen shot of one of Nancy’s slides points out the extent of our “natural” negative bias

What’s really interesting here is the (happy) Marriage Formula:

a ratio of 5 positive remarks or inter-actions to 1 negative remark or interaction.

If we extend this into our innovation and creative thinking environment we can see how damaging negative comments can be. We have to work 5 times as hard to overcome a single negative response.

Working to improve our power over our brain works is not easy. So finding ways to improved your brain power should be worth looking at especially if the payoffs far out way the effort. Take a quick look at this brain optimindation program. and let me know what you think (excuse the pun).

Related Posts:

• getting other people to contribute
• An Archive for Ideas
• give innovation the right environment to survive

That might sound like a strange title “When Yes means No”. If you read a little further I’m sure you’ll recognize it. In fact if you’re honest you’ve done it yourself. Hands up, confession – I’ve done it too!

We’ve all been in meetings or on a conference call were everyone is excitedly making their point. What’s often happening is that we’re trying to get an opening so that you can make our own. Right?

So, what do we all do to silence whoever is talking so we can say what we want to say. We say “Yes” – to get agreement – and then we say “BUT” – to move on to our point.

This is when YES means NO.

The reason for raising it here is that it’s a habit that closes our minds to other people’s ideas. We become so focused on our idea that we stop listening to others. What we really end up saying is NO – your idea is not as good as mine.

Next time there’s a “Yes, but” on your lips catch it a stop it before it comes out. If your really mean “No” then say so; and have a proper conversation about the idea or issue. Then move on.

If you really do mean “Yes”, then say it without qualification.

Related Posts:

• An Archive for Ideas
• Give your ideas power
• More ways to share your ideas

Yesterday I shared examples of some interesting ways to visually present complex ideas or concepts. When presenting or sharing your ideas with others it’s often necessary to give a speech or presentation at the same time. Having a great idea is the first step, but getting others to understand and appreciate it is when the ideas really gets its power.

I don’t know about you but giving a presentation is not everyone’s favourite activity. I’ve done a few and with enough time for preparation and practice I do get kick out of it. Here is a great little video (4 minutes) from Francisco Dao for INC.com that give some really great tips on giving the best presentation you can. I also subscribe to Lisa B Marshall’s The Public Speaker Quick and Dirty Tips podcast through iTunes. This is a great resource and Lisa offers really good practical advice.

Related Posts:

• More ways to share your ideas
• An Archive for Ideas
• When Yes means No