Don't conceal your ideas. Share what you know, and the more will come back to you.

One of the absolute best part about my career is the opportunity to interact with many young and seasoned - passionate, intelligent, driven Entrepreneurs / Innovators. When I explain how my role partially helps foster an innovation culture within my organization, the response is usually nothing but warm and inquisitive. More often than not, eyes light up with a response, "I have a really awesome idea!..."

Almost clockwork, when I match their excitement and respond with: "that's great! Why don't you tell me a bout it?" the tone suddenly shifts and I the only sound you hear is.....  crickets. 

Remember in school when the other students prevented you from seeing their answers, guarding by placing their arms around the exam or exercise book? Well, it's the same at work, people are secretive with ideas. "Don't tell them that, they'll take the credit for it." 

The problem with hoarding is you end up living off your reserves. Eventually you'll become stale.  We all have GREAT ideas, and the usually we're typically trying to solve are for ourselves. Moreover, the most successful and profound ideas are ones that we are emotionally close to, but also provide immense value to many, many other people. But because most are afraid to share their "awesome ideas" with others, or even within their employer, they truly miss out on opportunities for the solutions to flourish. 

Ideas are open knowledge. Don't claim ownership, just the capabilities, passion and know how to progress them forward.  After all, they aren't really YOUR ideas anyway. They are someone else's. They are floating in the air, sparked by an event or situation.  You just have to put yourself in a frame of mind to pick them up, then run with them. You need to believe that YOU, beyond anyone else, are the very best person (passion, knowledge, experience or resources) to help them evolve into something real and valuable. 

The advice given is simple, and I believe in this whole-heartingly: 

If you give away everything you have, you are left with nothing. This forces you to look, to be aware, to get feedback, to replenish and open up the idea to breathe and evolve.  

Somehow, like many things in life, the more you give away... The more comes back to you.

 Happy Innovating! 

Jenn Kelley