Philosophers have debated for years the great question, “If a tree falls in the forest and no-one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

This question came to my mind a few days ago, quickly followed by a few similar ones:

If someone writes an amazing blog and no-one reads it, is it really that good?

If someone has a brilliant business idea that can make them millions of dollars and doesn’t act on it, is it really that brilliant?

If someone loves their wife and kids and doesn’t tell them, hug them, do things for them or spend time with them, do they really love them?

If someone has an innovative solution to a complex problem and keeps it to themselves, is it really a solution?

If someone delivers a well-worded message and no-one is changed by it or is there to hear it, is it a waste of time and energy?

Ideas and values are important.  We want to encourage innovation and creativity.

But just as important is ensuring that others know what we’re thinking and that we share our ideas in a way that has others listening to them.

There’s always a risk that they may reject what we have to offer and the fear of such rejection sometimes holds us back, but it’s a risk that we need to take.

Because if an idea falls in the forest and no-one is there to hear it, nothing changes.

Previous post – You Don’t Want Yes-Men

Next post – The Difference Between Resources and Resourcefulness