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đź’¬ Throwing Our Own Ideas Under the Bus
Grant cites four reasons why we should accentuate the flaws in our own ideas when “pitching a novel idea or speaking up with a suggestion for change.”
“Leading with weaknesses disarms the audience.” When we’re only presented with positives, we become skeptical and look for holes as if to say, “What’s the catch?”
“People think an amateur can appreciate art, but it takes a professor to critique it.” We hold in higher regard those who can praise and critique vs. those who heap on nothing but lavish praise. Think restaurants reviews, movie reviews, book reviews, etc.
“It makes you more trustworthy.” This speaks to the credibility of the person pitching the idea.
“It leaves audiences with a more favorable assessment of the idea itself.” If the idea is a good one, and we’re already pointing out its worst problems (which aren’t so bad in the first place), there’s nothing damaging left to uncover.
I wonder Ross if the challenge in focusing on the why and why not is about finding balance? This reminds me of Malcolm Gladwell’s discussion of Generous Orthodoxy.
Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.
My favorite…”Having confidence in your idea is not the same as blind faith in an idea.” I would argue, when we exhibit blind faith without publicly acknowledging the drawbacks, our ideas are less likely to “work.”
Thanks again!