Module 2: The impact of negativity

STEP 1: UNDERSTAND
Negativity crushes innovative thinking.   NOTE!  We are not talking about constructive feedback or critical thinking.  What we are trying to show you in this module is that when someone shares an idea if the first reaction or reactions from others are phrases like 'yeah but,' 'that won't work,' or 'the problem with that is' then the idea is in trouble.  We actually say that the idea is under attack?  And what do people do when they are under attack?  They retreat or they fight back, i.e. the flight or fight phenomenon that we all, as human beings, possess. Also, continuing with the theme of being under attack, people can become scared.  In fact, others watching the attack become scared as well.  Google did extensive research on the question 'what makes the perfect team' and they concluded that what is needed more than anything is what researchers call 'Psychological Safety.'  This is CRITICAL to innovation and creative thinking.  If people do not feel safe to share ideas then they will be less engaged and when they are less engaged innovation suffers.  Who knew a simple 'yeah but' could have such a devastating effect?

Watch the videos below to get a better sense of what we are describing.
STEP 2: EXPERIENCE 
Want to experience first hand how devastating negativity can be on your culture?  Play the two games below and then answer the reflection questions below in Step 3.  
Click here to play
​The Balloon Effect.
Click here to play
​Negativity Smash!
​STEP 3: REFLECT and DO

​1. Review the questions below again from the games and simulations
The Balloon Effect reflection questions
  • ​How did it feel to have your balloon popped?
  • How did it feel when you popped the balloon?  What did you think of the expression on the character's face?
  • Which took more effort: blowing up the balloon or popping the balloon?  How does this relate to sharing an idea and reacting to ideas?
  • Have you ever seen this type of experience happen at work, home, school, on TV, or other environment?  How do you think it affects the person who shared the idea?  How about the overall work or school environment?
  • Imagine you had to keep playing the first part of this simulation over and over and over, i.e. you keep blowing up balloons and they are constantly popped.    Would you want to keep playing?   How does this relate to people and their willingness to share ideas based on the environment or culture of their workplace, school, or home?
  • Imagine you were new to a company and you saw a coworker share idea that was immediately popped by your boss.  Your boss then looks at you and asks, 'do you have any ideas?'   What would you say?   
  • What do you take away as the overall lesson from this activity as it relates to innovation and, more specifically, how it impacts the overall culture of a company?
Negativity Smash! reflection questions
  • Let's ask one more time - how do negativity and red tape effect innovation and creativity?
  • How much more energy and effort (both physical and mental) did it take to play the game at the higher levels?  How does this relate to fostering innovation is a work or school environment? 
  • Imagine if you could just smash out negativity in your company. (not physically, of course).  What would your culture look like?  What would your culture FEEL like.
  • How is critical thinking and constructive feedback or different from negativity?  This is HUGE point we want to make.
2. Find someone to talk to.  It could be a co-worker, a family member, or a friend.  Tell them you would like to do an exercise with them. Ask this person to share an idea about something they like, they suggest you and the person should do, etc. The topic doesn't matter.  When they are sharing the idea start to frown and then, when they are done, tell the person that his or her idea is 'dumb' or that 'it will never work.'   How did they react?  Ask them how they felt?   Make sure you tell them this is only for fun!
​3. Complete this quick survey (optional)
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