When You Want Someone to Adopt Your Idea

By Marty Nemko

I'm from New York City. There, if you think you have a better idea, you simply say, "Here's what you should do." But try that in California and you'll usually be dismissed as "That jerk!"--I speak from personal experience. I've had to learn a whole new approach to getting people to change. Most people need to feel "ownership" in an idea before adopting it. Even better is if they feel it's their own idea. So, whenever possible, I preface suggestions with, "In listening to you, I'm wondering if it might sense to (Insert idea). It even works with New Yorkers.