Out of Control

Grant McCracken tells an interesting story about groups dynamics in generating--or not generating--ideas. A highlight. . .

But how are we to separate the good from the bad ideas? The good news here is that bad ideas go away all by themselves. No one picks them up. No one remains their champion. Groups flock, and they always move in the direction of the good ideas.

One of the conditions of profusion is a “non proprietary” approach on the part of the participants. The moment an idea escapes your lips, it belongs to the group, and, if it’s a good one, to the corporation. You have to learn to say goodbye. You will get credit in general for your performance and might get a high 5 from a fellow participant when you have distinguished yourself, but otherwise ideas end up belonging to everyone.