Why Smart Teams Resist Your New Idea (And What to Do About It)

Practical Ways to Slow Down to Give Your New Idea a Fighting Chance of Success

You’ve just come back from a strategic planning session with your boss and peers and you’ve got an amazing idea for your team to implement.

You think it’s visionary, game-changing, breakthrough stuff. You rally the team, thinking everyone’s going to high-five you into next week… and instead? Blank stares. An eye roll from your top sales performer. And your ops director just gave your PowerPoint the side eye.

Now you’re wondering… “Are they stuck in their ways, or am I missing something? How do I get them on board—or should I?”

Let’s dig in.

4 Totally Normal (But Fixable) Reasons Your Team Hates Your Great Idea (Video)

1. They Don’t Get the Reason

Here’s the thing—your team’s smart. They’re sniffing out the why behind your idea before you’ve even finished your pitch.

Before you go all in, hit pause and gut-check yourself:

• Are you rolling out something from higher-ups you don’t even believe in?

• Is this “great idea” just more work with no clear upside for your customers?

• Are you chasing a shiny pet project while ignoring the big stuff your team’s already sweating over?

People can get behind bold ideas—but not if they feel like pawns in someone else’s agenda. Be honest with yourself first, and then show them how this idea actually helps them win.

2. They’re Still Swirling From Your Last Big Idea

Picture this. You get your team pumped to run through a brick wall. They charge, head down, bruised and bloody… and just when they’re figuring out how to break through, you wave your hands and say, “Never mind! We’re doing something else now!”

Oof.

Your best performers hate feeling like their hard work was wasted. If you’ve got an innovation graveyard behind you, they’re understandably skeptical. Before you launch the next big thing, check:

• What’s still unfinished from your last big thing?

• Who’s still grinding on your previous priorities?

• How can you honor what’s working before you layer on something new?

Sometimes it’s not resistance—it’s exhaustion.

3. It’s a great idea… But “we’ve got concerns of how it will work in our context.”

I’m a huge fan of best practices. But I learned the hard way: what kills it in a bustling urban office might belly-flop in a tiny branch store in rural Virginia.

Invite your team to help you slow down and do a quick reality check.

• Does this really make sense for our team or our customers?

• What tweaks make it more effective?

• Who can help you adapt the idea so it scales smart—not sloppy?

The best ideas flex and adapt. Give people room to localize, and you’ll get way more traction.

This is an idea we call, “practice the principle,” in our book Courageous Cultures.  What was the REASON you thought this idea was so great.

You might say, “Here’s what I loved about this idea, and I’m curious how this looks from your perspective? Are there faster, easier or different ways to accomplish this goal?”

4. The Idea’s Great… But the Details Are a Hot Mess

Some ideas sound amazing in a PowerPoint but fall apart on the frontlines. You’re seeing resistance because your team’s already mentally walking through the operational nightmares.

Here’s your easy fix: before you hit “go,” ask them:“What could make this crash and burn?”

• “What’s the customer’s perspective on this?”

• “What would make this easier to implement?”

• “What’s one tweak that would help us crush this?”

Instead of fighting the resistance, invite it. You’ll either improve your idea or realize you dodged a bullet—and either way, you’ll earn credibility.

Sometimes, yeah, your team’s being change-resistant. But more often? They’re giving you valuable signals to help your great idea actually work.

Your moves:

• Double-check your motives and connect to the bigger reason.

• Don’t forget what they’re already working on (and scar tissue from last time).

• Practice the Principle: Discuss alternative paths to achieve similiar goals.

• Kick the tires on “how: “Pressure-test the idea before rolling it out.

See Also: The Secret to Getting Remarkable Ideas You Can Actually Use (my TEDx).

Share Your Concerns: Speak Up Wihtout Blowing Things Up