STRESS AND DEALING WITH NEW IDEAS IN TEAMS

Stress can increase dramatically in a team or group of people when ‘new ideas’ are handled badly. What this revolves around is how do people in a team or group respond when another team member brings up a different and new idea. Do team members respond in a way that gives the new idea an opportunity to develop and grow or die a stress filled death?

IT IS STRESSFUL TO BRING UP NEW IDEAS

When people bring up a new idea in a team, it involves taking a risk and can be a stressful experience. This stress level increases when you have obstinate and difficult people who respond negatively when any new ideas are presented and ‘put down’ the person who has brought up the idea.

These ‘put downs’ can include either verbal comments or non-verbal reactions such as shaking their head, rolling their eyes or folding their arms and looking disgusted or disinterested.

However, when these responses are conveyed they always stop people discussing new ideas or bringing up further ideas.

This most often succeeds in stifling all creativity and imaginative solutions. It means that teams are less able to come up with effective ways of handling new problems that they may be experiencing.

WHAT HAVE EACH AND EVERY NEW IDEA ALL GOT IN COMMON?

But did you know that every new idea is actually BORN DROWNING. What this means is that the idea is not yet fully developed or even fully thought through yet. All new ideas require the chance to swim, float and develop a lot further. To allow this to happen you really need positive and encouraging people to support every person who suggests a new idea. You do not need very negative and difficult people that leap on and crush new ideas and the people that bring up these ideas.

POWERFUL NEGATIVITY AND NEW IDEAS

So have you ever seen these people in a group or team who respond negatively whenever someone brings up a new idea or possible solution? This negativity is guaranteed to ensure that an idea drowns and is lost forever. Now not every new idea is a great idea. But when an idea does not get the opportunity to be explored, expanded on and discussed, then how will people ever know if an idea is worth pursuing.

HOW TO GIVE NEW IDEAS A CHANCE TO PROGRESS

So here is a technique that will give people an opportunity for new ideas to develop in a team and reduce the negativity of difficult people. Introduce a NEW IDEAS POLICY. What this means is that when a person comes up with a new idea then everyone else in the team must make a positive comment about the idea. This is before any further discussion can occur. People are not allowed to jump first to negative comments, they must always start by sincerely saying something positive, encouraging and supportive about the new idea.

CHANGING THE ATMOSPHERE FROM NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE

This technique will change the atmosphere in the group from being negative to positive. It helps people to begin to see the possibilities in a newly formed idea. This allows the chance for the idea to at least start to swim and perhaps develop further. Try it! It will cut down the power of those who are squashing new ideas and are being extremely difficult people.

FROM THE GLOBAL ORGANIZATION FOR STRESS

These stress related articles and information are brought to you by the Global Organization for Stress. Sign up as a member and you’ll receive free membership and a copy of our complimentary ‘101 Ways to Less Stress’ Guide.

Please Note: Stress can result in severe health related issues. This stress related information is provided as guidance only and should not be considered as a form of therapy or professional advice. If expert assistance is needed, then a suitably competent health professional should be consulted in relation to your stress.

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