Good intentions are not enough when it comes to implementing employees' ideas. People are encouraged to share ideas, but leaders often find many reasons for rejecting them. Research shows that asking people to share ideas that don't go anywhere can discourage employees and even cause them to quit...

Sometimes giving an idea the benefit of the doubt is enough. Asking clarifying questions can help team members and others better understand the ideas.

The difficulties and opportunities posed by an idea that stands out to some team members may be invisible to others. Developing one another’...

Many leaders know that employee perspectives are vital for retention and innovation, but they struggle to create a culture where employees can voice their ideas and see them through.

There are several tactics leaders and their teams can use to ensure good ideas are implemented.

Supporting an idea does not mean unconditional support. Publicly mentioning the weaknesses associated with an idea can also keep it alive by giving allies the chance to openly create solutions and address concerns directly.

Issue-raising is about acknowledging that an idea might take time a...

To ensure employees' good ideas get a better chance at implementation, leaders can introduce voice cultivation to their teams.

• Set the tone so that team members can build each other up.
• Promote teamwork rather than competition by rewarding team members when they develop other's...

Publicly repeating someone else's good idea can help push an idea forward. This is particularly true for those trying to influence authority figures.

For example, a nurse shared how overwhelmed she was with clinic calls that limited her in-clinic nursing work. The doctor thanked her for...