Do you always have something to add on?
The nature of your position may be such that you are a mentor, a boss, a direct report, or somebody ultimately responsible in a given area. However, that does not mean that your input is always necessary, nor does it mean that you need to try to improve or impact every idea.
Consider this: When a direct report submits an idea or a suggestion to you, nothing may kill their enthusiasm more than having you “add value” to their idea. Even if you think it’s a great idea, but perhaps could be tweaked a bit…. let them know, “That’s a great idea,” and leave it at that. You may be tempted to say, “That’s a great idea, but how about we add this to it….”, but you will likely get more mileage if you let your folks run with their own ideas.
Sure, your “added value” may have improved the idea by 5-10%, but the cost of your person feeling under-appreciated or demeaned could overshadow that and more. Before “adding value”, ask yourself two questions: “Am I right?” and “Is it worth it?”. Often times, you get better mileage by letting the car coast downhill.
