When is the last time you went with your gut? You know…that strong knowing in the center of yourself crying out “Do It – SAY Something” while the account team drones on with empty noise. Or worse there’s the fear that Negative Nora who always “poo-poos” your idea, will somehow present it as her own. It’s just better to keep that spark hidden. Just be quiet so the aggravation won’t rear it’s ugly head from another hi-jacked great idea.
It’s hard to believe that there are folks in our world who would actually be comfortable with snagging ideas and claiming them as their own. I’ve found that when you hear a someone in your org say, “this is about team think” beware. For me I’ve found that means you’re about to regret sharing your epiphany with that trusted colleague. And it’s not because I’ve ever required recognition and a strong pat on the back. It’s because somehow I feel an injustice being done to the concept or the idea as a whole.
And you’re wondering what in the world am I alluding to? Well I’m not alluding to anything, I’ll be very plain. That spark that comes from within you, was meant for you. It’s like that cold day where you’re just waking up from a deep delicious sleep to see the light coming up over the horizon. This moment was meant for you. It’s meant to be plotted out and a course charted by the bearer of the message. When someone else takes the very tip of the idea iceberg and tries to run with it, it’s usually nowhere near the brilliance it was meant for.
Letting your intuition come into the light and out of the darkness – removing the fear and embracing courageously the whole inspired moment requires hard work. It’s so easy to run down the hall and blurt out something with passion. I know because I get so excited by the clear vision of one thing or another. I feel as though I will burst and must tell someone. The challenge is to take that excitement, the energy that’s gifted with the light bulb and put it down on paper. Or put it into a mind map, but get the whole thing put somewhere with your name on it.
There is nothing wrong with being proud of your work or taking credit for the gift of illuminated intuitive thinking, especially in marketing and brand strategy. In fact as I’ve already stated, we have a responsibility to get the idea right. Others will certainly contribute their perception and bring opinions that have value. If the team is brining great insight to the idea – HELLO collaboration. Now we’re talking about “team think”.
Trust that strong knowing…don’t ignore it. Embrace, nurture and encourage your spark.