10 Ways to Pitch Your Idea to Your Boss
Us Cultivators usually have at least one idea stirring in our heads at any given time. Quite often, we're marinating on more than one. Sometimes we'll bounce an idea off of our coworkers or our fellow changemakers (in the Cultivators Community) so that we can find out if it has merit.
Eventually, an idea will grow into something bigger– something we believe can positively change our workplace. Sometimes we can take action on an idea without talking to anyone first. Other times, we need buy-in or senior leader approval before our idea can become a reality.
Of course, not every boss is the same. That's why it's important to consider alternative ways to pitch your idea based on your unique circumstances. Here, a list of ten tactics that may help you get the buy-in you need to bring your vision to life.
💡 Frame your idea to align with your team's goals
Will your idea contribute at all to your team achieving their goals? If so, intentionally framing your idea to align with those goals could really help. The more closely you can align with their priorities, the more likely your boss (who is ultimately responsible for your team's success) will support it. Start the conversation by referencing a specific goal. Then add, "I have an idea that can help us achieve that."
👀 Pay extra attention to your boss's problems
Similar to #1, your boss will appreciate that you're a team player. If you can't align your idea to a goal right now, make sure it can solve an issue that your boss or team is experiencing. Bosses love when employees come up with solutions, especially when the solution boosts morale.
💪 Build your reputation for being a great performer
The more on-task you are, the more trust your boss will have in your ability to work on something new. Let's face it, the person who will work the hardest on implementing your idea will be you. Your boss needs to know that you can still manage the other priorities on your plate.
🏃♀️ Take advantage of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Every so often, an idea sweeps the corporate world with the same momentum as the latest and greatest hashtag. This leads to a culture or those looking for the next big thing or those playing catch-up. Fortunately for your boss, you're a Cultivator. You planned for this. You recognize trends before they're trending. Find a way to point out the coming wave and say, "If we don't do this, we're going to miss out on ____."
📚 Look for inspiration from books
Surge: Your Guide to Put Any Idea Into Action is a fast read that helps motivate you by showing that no action is too small. The most important thing you can do is something. That will lead to something else. Then, before you know it, you've created momentum. Find out what type of inspiration you need, then ask our Cultivators Community for recommendations.
⚒️ Build a coalition
Some people go to their boss first. Others build an alliance. Know your boss to know which is the right approach. If your boss is going to ask, "What does everyone else think about this?" you should be able to answer that. You can even reference names of people whose opinions you know your boss respects. The bottom line is that the more people on board with your idea, the less risk your boss will feel when they need to support it up the ladder.
📊 Use data to tell the story
Senior leaders love data. If you have data that supports your idea in any way, you should include it in your pitch. By presenting objective evidence, you eliminate many "what if" questions. You're also equipping your boss with the information they'll need to pitch the idea to their peers.
🛣️ De-risk the decision for your boss.
Some of the tips above are risk reducers. Knowing your boss's willingness or aversion to taking risks will help you understand what information you'll need to get them on board. If your boss is the type who wants to know every step before getting started, you may have to consider creating a roadmap. It's okay to leave room for unknowns, but the key is to assure your boss that you'll be ready for them.
👩🔬 Experiment with your idea
Your boss might resist getting onboard without a proof of concept. We love this because it allows you to test your idea and make changes without ripping a hole in the fabric of the universe. Testing in a sandbox enables you to work with a small team, which leads to faster decision-making. In the end, you'll have something visual or tangible that helps illustrate your idea to people who need to see it and touch it before they get on board.
💬 Make sure people know about it.
Spreading the word is the best thing you can do for your idea. Making sure people know about it is more like speaking it into existence. Set up 1:1 meetings, host a happy hour, send a couple of emails, make a t-shirt with your idea on the back and wear it for a week (too far?). Whatever you do, keep the buzz alive.
You won't use all of these tactics when pitching your idea, but if you know the landscape of your company and you know your boss, you should be able to use the right combination of these to get the right kind of support for your idea.
For more advice on how to make your idea happen, join the Cultivators Community to get feedback from more than 250 changemakers, culture champions, and community builders from companies around the world.
Share your ideas. Solve problems. Make a difference.
We’re building a community where your voice is heard, solutions are shared, and changemakers around the world can mobilize for change. If you are passionate about change, culture, and innovation, this is the place for you.