The Management Tip 4 Steps to Get Approval for Your Next Innovation Project

Everyone wants innovation in their company, but getting a new idea implemented can be a challenge, especially when office politics are in play. When you’re trying to get approval for your latest innovation, follow these four steps. First, anticipate resistance. If you know what people might object to, you can plan how you’ll address those concerns. Second, understand what objections are truly about. For example, someone might say they object because of a publicly acceptable reason — say, the project is too costly — when their real concern is political, like they’re afraid their team will lose influence. Third, find a champion for the project. This should be a senior executive whose clout and expertise can help you move the project forward. And fourth, gather a critical mass of supporters. If you have a group of people who believe in the innovation enough to try it, you’ll have social proof that the idea is a good one.