Think Big: Give Permission to Suggest Something Crazy

Nothing energizes a team or organization faster or better than a big idea. If your company or department lacks enthusiasm—if your team members are bored—it’s time for a bold move.


The moment you and your team set a new and exciting target, you create a gap between where you are and where you really want to be. The urge to close that gap and make the big idea a reality is what generates the extraordinary hum and competitive spirit that we see in today’s great companies.

But here’s the problem: There isn’t one person in a thousand who can write down a big idea without at the same time telling themselves all the reasons why it can’t work, or their manager won’t go for it. This is one of the main reasons why most employees are reluctant to suggest a big exciting idea. “If I suggest something this crazy” they tell themselves, “I’ll probably get laughed right out of the company.”

Solution: It’s up to you to make your company or work unit a safe place for bold thinking and new ideas. 


Start by giving your team permission to challenge the status quo and to think outside the box. Remind them that their big ideas don’t have to be practical at first. Why? Because you are a team— and a team can always come back later and build the practicality into a big idea together.