To inspire a risk-averse team to share bold ideas: 1. Set a “No Judgment” Rule: Encourage outside-the-box ideas without immediate critique. 2. Celebrate Bold Thinking: Recognize team members who share unconventional ideas, even if they aren’t implemented. 3. Use “What-If” Scenarios: Ask hypothetical questions like, “What if we had unlimited resources?” to open up creativity. 4. Focus on Learning: Emphasize that all ideas, even those that don’t work, bring valuable insights. 5. Model Boldness: Share bold ideas yourself to set the tone for open brainstorming. These steps help build a culture that’s more comfortable with risk and innovation.

Stay open to ideas without a dismissive lens, as everyone’s experiences shape their contributions. Give private feedback to create a safe space for sharing without judgment. Your goal isn’t to find a 'right' or 'wrong' idea but to encourage bold thinking. Model creative risks yourself, reward daring ideas, and embrace 'What if' scenarios to spark innovation. Let’s build an environment where the team feels safe to step out of their comfort zone and share freely.

Either the person leading the strategy meeting is stubborn; or the team lead has not given room for team members to become vulnerable and give inputs in times of dispute/uncertainty Team participation during strategy meetings is a result of healthy culture and a hesitant team attending meetings with fear and one way communication is a sign of alarm for progressing corpporations

In order for the team to share bold ideas they need to feel safe, they need to feel they are respected, they need to be aware the process of sharing ideas is a process of learning and getting to better proposals by creating sinergy. That environment has to be created in everyday activities, eventually it will be part of a culture.

Some ways I've experienced other leaders encourage a risk-averse team are: 1. First few minutes of a meeting, everyone writes down some topics/ideas they may be too timid to voice aloud. The meeting leader then draws them one-by-one & allows the group to openly discuss. 2. Similar to the tactic above, our team has a neutral meeting room that is comfortable & casual to help others feel more at ease. In the room, we keep a white board for anyone to jot down ideas when they have free time & we discuss them during the next meeting. 3. Encouraging a non-criticism approach. Applauding questions & collaboration without attacking fellow co-workers by saying things like "great question" or "I like that approach, can you explain more?", etc.

To inspire a risk-averse team to share bold ideas, create a safe, supportive environment by leading with vulnerability. Share your own challenges to show it's okay not to be perfect. Build trust through consistent, open listening, and set up open “rumble” sessions where ideas can be explored without judgment. When people feel valued for their contributions and safe from criticism, they’ll feel freer to think big and share boldly.

To inspire a risk-averse team to share bold ideas, create a safe, open environment where all suggestions are valued, regardless of outcome. Encourage brainstorming without judgment, celebrate creative thinking, and highlight examples of successful risks. Model openness to new ideas yourself, recognize team members who take initiative, and emphasize that innovation often involves learning from failure as well as success.

To get a risk-averse team to share bold ideas, start by creating a space where everyone feels comfortable speaking up. Let them know it’s okay to suggest something different, and there’s no judgment. Share some of your own bold ideas to set the example. Make sure to recognize creative thinking, even if the idea isn't perfect—it’s about encouraging the effort. Use open-ended questions like “What if we tried this?” to get them thinking creatively. Share stories of bold moves that paid off to show that risks can lead to big rewards. Lastly, suggest testing bold ideas on a small scale so they feel less risky but still exciting to try.

Encourage a no-wrong-ideas mindset by celebrating creative suggestions, even if they seem risky. Share examples of successful bold moves, reward innovative thinking, and emphasize mistakes are part of growth. Create a safe space where every voice is valued and respected this will help them feel more comfortable sharing out-of-the-box ideas.