Beware of the Idea Killers

In my continuing discussion (okay maybe a tirade) on brand management, I feel justified in adding an archetype of irritating people for your consideration.  Today's choice is the "Idea Killer".  Everyone knows these people. They are the annoying people in your professional life that constantly tell you they don't have time or money to be doing or engaging on a topic.(I have even heard someone tell me they didn't have time to be "nice to a customer"- I kid you not!) It never fails to amaze me that someone shares an idea on a blog or listserv (which is the whole point of blogs or listservs) and within minutes there is always an idea killer who says they don't have time to do whatever idea is being pitched. This always amuses me since they have so much time to comment on the time they don't have.

Let me illustrate.  Many years ago it was "suggested" (ie the boss said) we do a summer reading program for adults.  Initially, I was hesitant because I had seen how hard the youth librarians worked and worried over their program.  I wasn't exactly excited to join in on another project that had a lot of work and to be honest,   I wasn't sure that it would work in my library. I kept thinking sometimes these programs end up being a really un-fun to-do list. As the discussion progressed, we talked through the ideas of no budget, convincing people to try it, and making it "fun". This ended up being a program that was successful and easy to implement. My point is that if I had given into initial hesitation, I would have missed a great opportunity. If it hadn't been a boss directive, I would have been on the fast track to being an Idea Killer. Lesson learned!

These idea killers love to tell everyone how much they do.  Regardless of idea or thought presented you can count on these people to tell you THEIR problems and how an idea that won't work. They also have no time to have a thoughtful discussion of ideas. Of course not everything presented will result in a success. In fact, I would bet most of the ideas are probably awful or absolutely unattainable.  However, shutting the door before an idea even gets a thought or discussion is bad for you and bad for the library.

As I plow through listservs. twitter and blogs, I start seeing comments consistent with the Idea Killer.  I try and make a note of this for future reference. I guess I won't see a resume from them because they are too busy on other blogs and lists complaining about the lack of time and stupid ideas.

Mary