Do you find that people you work with are open-minded/forward thinking ?

[Anonymous]

Trying to figure out if it is my industry or just me? I have a very hard time when I try to suggest a change or even just toss an idea out as a thought exercise to get perspective from different teams/roles. At first I thought it was just the culture of my organization, but I've been more and more collaborative work with external agencies/companies and finding the same in those settings. I try to be very non-threatening in suggesting a change and I genuinely want to have an open discussion about the issue at hand, but feels like time and time again, most people in the room seem to react as if their sole function is to refuse to entertain an idea or shoot it full of holes immediately without letting the concept breathe. I find it very disappointing and short-sighted of my colleagues, many of whose are highly educated and in senior positions. Anyone else experience this?

[Anonymous]

Are you well respected by other teams? That's often what it comes down to. There are some people who will ask for an input or innovation exercise, and get blown off because they're known for being all talk and not trusted. But there are others who people will listen to.

[Anonymous]

Yes, OP this happens all the time at my large non-profit. It's sad because this type of group-think is turning the organization into a slowly sinking ship, from which I am planning my exit strategy.

[Anonymous]

Heck no

[Anonymous]

If they're too stretched at work, they won't want to listen to a proposition that promises to ask even more of them.

Happens all the time.