Letting Go of Great Ideas

I would venture to guess that today's leadership lesson could apply to just about everyone, regardless of leadership status. At some point in our lives, we have had a great idea.

Ok, to be truthful, most of us thought they were great ideas, because they were our ideas. Every once in a while, those we work with or lead would concur, and the idea would be implemented.

There is a great sense of satisfaction when the organization you work for uses one of your ideas, and that idea is successful. For people who are driven by accomplishments, this is very rewarding.


Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that there is a time and season for everything. This applies to those great ideas you developed. There is a time to create them, and a time to let them go.

One of the hardest things to do is to let go of a successful idea that you created. You poured time and energy into it's creation. You fought for it to be implemented. You worked hard to make it succeed. You saw your idea work out just like you hoped. And, at some point, if you were honest, you would see that the idea has lived out it's usefulness.

I have gone through this little song and dance a few times before. There is something special in the creation of a great idea. But, there is something just as destructive in holding onto a great idea after it has outlived its usefulness, especially when you have evidence pointing out that fact.

One of my favorite examples of this can be found in Jim Collins' book "Good to Great." There is a grocery chain on the east coast called A&P. When they were founded, their idea of providing food and supplies at the chain of locations was a great concept. But, as the markets evolved, customers wanted more out of their local grocer.

A&P had evidence at the time (mid-20th century) that the supermarket concept was going to be very popular. Instead of following the evidence, they clung to the ideas which were great in the past, but were going to fail in the future. Had they made the necessary changes, you would hear of A&P all across the country.

By contrast, Collins points out that Kroger was in the same boat as A&P, but chose to ditch the old, successful ideas in favor of the new concept. Most folks across the country either shop at Kroger or one of its affiliate stores.

The point is that every great idea has a time and season. That season will soon pass, and you will be faced with the reality that it is better to leave that idea behind, and move on to something else.

Most people resist such a move, because they let pride get in the way of their thought process.

So, here's the question you have to ask yourself. If the successful idea was created by anyone else, would you still keep it, or would it be time to retire it and move on to the next thing? If you can honestly answer that from the perspective of what is best for you or your business, then you've made a Kroger-like decision.

What are some ideas that you need to give up, because their time has passed?