Defend your ideas from naysayers
Outsmart them with these tactics ...
Posted: October 23, 2016
Some people seem determined to make your
life miserable by attacking every idea you
suggest. Instead of getting angry or letting
them shut you down, outsmart them with
these tactics:
• Stand up for yourself. Calmly remind
naysayers that your ideas deserve the same
airing as those of anyone else. People who
unfairly knock the ideas of others often
back down once confronted.
• Call a timeout. If you find yourself being
drawn into an argument during a meeting,
suggest dealing with the problem later.
This drags your nemesis out of the
spotlight and likely makes you a hero to
others at the table.
• Ask for evidence. Don’t let your critics
blow your idea out of the water with
vague statements. Make them explain
exactly what they object to. Making
doubters back up their bravado with facts
often silences them.
• Acknowledge legitimate points. You can
concede that your attackers may not be
completely wrong without backing down
from your main point. This tactic shows
that you have an open mind while still
projecting confidence in your idea.
—Adapted from Thinking on Your Feet: Tools to Communicate
Clearly and Convincingly, by Marlene Caroselli
(Crisp Learning)