Your manager keeps shutting down your creative ideas. How can you resolve this conflict?
Having your creative ideas dismissed can be frustrating, but there are effective ways to address this conflict constructively. Here's how to navigate this situation:
How have you handled similar situations with your manager? Share your strategies.
Your manager keeps shutting down your creative ideas. How can you resolve this conflict?
Having your creative ideas dismissed can be frustrating, but there are effective ways to address this conflict constructively. Here's how to navigate this situation:
How have you handled similar situations with your manager? Share your strategies.
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1. Link the value creation through your creative ideas towards the business goals and strategies. Explain the link with informed and smart hypotheses attached to your creative ideas. 2. Look for (if) cognitive biases in the way they are analyzing it. Find the commonalities in each case of rejection. Clarify how such biases have crept into their perspective regarding your idea. Don't push it too hard though. 3. Explain why you keep on coming up with the creative ideas and how that is a great effort towards common good. Make her/ him realize how engaging in rational analysis of such creative ideas benefits both personally. Tell her/ him, what and how you're feeling about the rejections of the idea. Trust and Open communication is the key.
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I'm afraid there's no easy way to put this, but the only way I found a successful outcome in this case is not through words but through actions. So, if you really want to see your idea out there, you will have to work on it by yourself first and present its value based on something more tangible than an idea. This is why it's so important that you believe in what you do professionally, 500%, and feel confident about making these decisions. I can't imagine myself doing this if I didn't believe in the cause or if I was just working for the money.
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I ensure my ideas align with my manager’s goals or concerns. Instead of pitching creativity for its own sake, I frame my proposals to address specific priorities like efficiency, cost savings, or team impact. I pair creative storytelling with evidence—customer insights or industry trends.This combination gives my manager both emotional and logical reasons to support my idea. Before pitching, I share my ideas to gather feedback and improve them. Rather than presenting a rigid proposal, I ask open-ended questions to involve my manager in shaping the idea. Above all, I remind myself to stay authentic. “Be you” is my mantra, inspired by belief that true innovation stems from being unapologetically yourself.
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That happened to me a couple of times. Sometimes because my boss didn’t have the full perspective of the issues and benefits, and other times because they don’t have the courage to embrace change. Obviously, sometimes because I couldn’t express my ideas in a compelling way. What I’ve learned? Try yourself and get practical results. Results speak for themselves. PS: The most annoying feedback is when your boss ask for “something simple”. Avoid that when giving feedback to someone.
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To address a manager shutting down your creative ideas, start by understanding their perspective and concerns. Clearly align your ideas with company goals, focusing on measurable outcomes like cost savings or productivity gains. Present your concepts in a structured, data-backed manner and emphasize their feasibility. If possible, propose a small-scale pilot to demonstrate value without significant risk. Maintain open communication, seek constructive feedback, and adapt based on their input to build trust and show your commitment to shared objectives.
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No need to get offended, demoralized or frustrated as it’s the same number which looks different from two sides. For example it may be 6 to you but for your manager it’s a 9. It’s about putting your feet in his shoes and feel the comfort. Your ideas may be amazingly creative but you need to check if they align with the company’s positioning; branding; organizational culture; objective; and perspective. Things from other side of the table are different so never assume your manger is trying to pull you down. He’s there to ensure things are in line with the company’s guidelines, vision and strategy. In case your manager intentionally trying to pull you down, don’t worry as he/she will be exposed soon as such managers life is too short.
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In general, it's always useful to have an open conversation with your manager about innovation and your role in it. - First, try to understand their perspective. Are there budget constraints, company policies, or other factors at play? - Next, refine your pitch. Present ideas with clear benefits and address potential concerns upfront. -Consider finding allies within the organization who can support your initiatives. -Document your ideas and their potential impact. This creates a record of your contributions and may prove valuable later.
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- Understand the Organization's Policy 1. Review the company's policies, procedures, and values to ensure your idea aligns with them. 2. Identify potential policy barriers and be prepared to address them. - Demonstrate the Benefits 1. Research and gather data to demonstrate how your idea will benefit the organization. 2. Highlight potential cost savings, revenue growth, or improved efficiency. 3. Emphasize how your idea aligns with the company's goals and objectives. - Clearly Communicate Your Idea 1. Prepare a clear, concise, and compelling presentation. 2. Use visual aids, such as diagrams, charts, or prototypes, to illustrate your idea. 3. Anticipate questions and be prepared to address concerns.
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You can modify these ideas after checking and present others that are more focused on what is needed. Another option is to combine your ideas to improve those that have been chosen to strengthen those of the team. And never stop giving ideas or helping others with theirs...😊
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