This brief list is distilled
from a very long list of phrases gathered over many years.
Each phrase is given along with comments on its
appropriateness and potential underlying meanings. If you hear
these uttered then a warning bell should sound inside your
head. These are all potential blocks to personal and
organisational Creativity.
1. We tried that
before
Well yes you might have done but were the
circumstances the same and what happened exactly? Perhaps
whatever you did was not executed correctly or you did not
have the right skills? This is a phrase usually uttered by
someone who has a vested interested in doing things in one
particular way or who dislikes change. Try saying "When we
tried this previously we got these results, how can we improve
on this?"
2. That's not my
job
Maybe not, but if you are looking to the
future then it may currently be nobody's job. Again a phrase
uttered by those who dislike change in their personal
workspace or who simply want more money. If you are trying to
get someone to behave differently then point out the
advantages to a) themselves b) the organisation (in that
order).
3. We don't have the time
Time
always gets filled with something so it really is a question
of what is more important. Are you looking to the future, do
you have your backs against the wall? What is the result if
you do NOT do this?
4. It's too radical a
change
The word radical has to be taken in
context. Any step towards where you wish to go has to be good.
There will be repercussions though and if sufficient research
is carried out, any unwanted effects can be minimised. This is
a phrase uttered by the risk averse.
5. The staff will never
buy it
Who said this? Someone is attempting to
predict what a group of people will say. Taken at face value,
it is a reason not to proceed, but try asking your staff.
Likely to be uttered by those opposed to change.
6. Let's get back to
reality
What is reality when thinking about the
future? If you want to maintain the status quo then fine, but
if you wish to improve things then you will have to dream a
little (of new products) or try to predict the
marketplace.
7. Let's give it more
thought
This is used as a political gambit to bury
ideas or by those who prefer talk to action. The ONLY reason
an innovation project can fail is through
inaction.
8. Let's form a
committee
A way of gathering like minded people
together to oppose an idea! Cynical perhaps, but committees
with the best intentions often slow things down. Empower
people to DO things and co-opt others if
necessary.
9. It won't pay for itself
Does
it have to? What is the cost of not taking a course of action?
It may cost $10000 and only make $5000 but what if it prevents
the company from going bust? Cost, like benefit can be
measured in many ways.
10. If it ain't broke,
don't fix it
Only if you wish to get the same
results all the time. Broke is like cost, dependent on
context. A system can have worked well in the past, but if the
future is different from the past then your system could well
be 'Broke' sooner than you think. This is often used by those
who have actually invented the 'Unbroke'
systems.
December 2009 
