When creative projects struggle, a lack of good ideas is rarely the problem. Usually the issue is with incorporating the various ideas into the output. Team members who think of themselves as artists have a greater tendency to reject others’ creative ideas, but even artists need to be open to suggestions from others. Here’s how to do it:
- Think of others’ input as general inspiration rather than as a challenge to your vision. Consider new ideas an opportunity to build on your thinking.
- Maintain an unemotional demeanor during collaborations. Reacting less in the moment helps you maintain a less hostile tone.
- Delay responding to new ideas. If your knee-jerk response to new ideas is rejecting them, give yourself time to think through an idea’s merits before making a decision about it.
- Think of projects as learning opportunities, not products. Instead of focusing on getting every detail right, focus on a project’s useful takeaways.
Adapted from "How to Work with Colleagues Who Are Less Creative than You," by Kimberly D. Elsbach et al.
