It seems so obvious. We have a bunch of ideas in front of us, and the natural question is: Which one is best? But the problem is that this question rarely leads to a good answer. Our brains are not designed to objectively determine which idea has the most potential. We are more influenced than we think by storytelling, group dynamics and subtle nuances in how an idea is presented.
We think we are making a rational assessment, but in fact we are deeply emotional. Something as simple as someone saying “And here we have an idea that I just love!” before they present one of several ideas makes us immediately more positive about that particular idea. If the idea is also accompanied by a captivating story – even if it contains irrelevant information – our tendency to see it as better increases. It doesn’t matter if the idea itself is weak, our perception is shaped by how it is conveyed.
The effect is even greater in a group. If a manager highlights an idea, it is often more accepted, while an idea criticized by a knowledgeable person can be quickly dismissed, even though no one has really analyzed it properly. We follow the group’s signals rather than evaluating the idea’s true potential ourselves.
How can we evaluate ideas in a smarter way?
If we want to ensure that we really identify the best ideas, we need to create methods that minimize the effect of storytelling and group dynamics. Here are three concrete ways to do this:
1. Write down opinions before the discussion begins
Before anyone even starts talking about the ideas, everyone should have the opportunity to independently write down which ones they think are the most promising. A simple way is to give everyone a list of ideas and ask them to select 3-5 favorites and note their choices on a piece of paper.
This reduces the risk that the first people to speak will control the rest of the group. If we instead immediately start discussing the ideas out loud, there is a great risk that we will just follow the group, rather than expressing what we ourselves really think. By writing down your thoughts in advance, it becomes easier to stick to a genuine opinion.
2. Allocate points to ideas before the discussion
Another method is to give each participant a limited number of points to allocate to the ideas, for example 5 points to place freely. By doing this before the discussion starts, the chance of us being influenced by the stories surrounding the ideas is reduced.
The points help us get a broader picture of which ideas actually have support. If we just let one idea “take over” the conversation, we risk missing other potentially strong ideas that didn’t get as much attention. By assigning points to the ideas in advance, we are forced to do a more independent analysis.
3. Assess the ideas from multiple perspectives
Instead of just asking “Which idea is the best?”, we can divide the assessment into several criteria. For example, we can have everyone assess the ideas based on:
- How creative is the idea?
- How feasible is it?
- How big an impact can it have?
- How original is it?
When we look at ideas from multiple angles, it becomes easier to see their true potential. For example, an idea that feels difficult to implement may be extremely innovative and therefore worth developing further. By forcing ourselves to analyze multiple aspects of an idea, we reduce the risk of dismissing something too early.
A good way to visualize this is to use a four-way map, such as a matrix that compares feasibility to creative height. By placing ideas in different quadrants, it becomes easier to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
Adopting a more curious approach to ideas
Ultimately, this is about changing our attitude towards ideas. An idea is rarely finished from the start, and if it seems strange, it is more often a sign that we have not yet understood it or developed it sufficiently.
By approaching ideas with curiosity instead of quickly judging them, we become better at seeing opportunities where we would otherwise have seen problems. A useful perspective is to think along the lines of:
“If an idea seems strange, it probably means we haven’t fully understood it yet.”
An interesting concept in this context is the concept of “Po”. It’s about keeping ideas open instead of dismissing them too quickly.
How to avoid being fooled by storytelling and groupthink
People tend to think they can identify the best idea by just “thinking it through”. But we are much more influenced by context and presentation than we think. To make better decisions about ideas, we should:
- Write down our opinions before the discussion to avoid being controlled by the group.
- Allocate points to ideas in advance to reduce the influence of storytelling.
- Assess ideas from multiple perspectives to get a more nuanced picture.
- Adopt a curious attitude where we see strange ideas as opportunities rather than problems.
So next time you’re evaluating ideas – stop asking which one is the best, and start thinking smarter about how you assess and develop them!
