One of my favorite bloggers out there, Katie Konrath, recently posted an item regarding some of the lessons she learned about innovation in 2007. What jumped out at me from the piece, in particular, is the significance of encouraging rather than discouraging people as they share their ideas for how to make things better.

Obviously, not all ideas will change the world, and some of them could definitely use “a little work”.  But telling someone their idea stinks is no way to get them to improve it.  Then they’re just discouraged.

I’m all for constructive criticism, but what Katie seems to be talking about is destructive criticism, which I too am against. I’m also an optimist and think there’s good in everything, so I like the method often referred to as “sandwich” or “oreo” feedback – tell them something positive about the idea, then the constructive criticism, then another positive on the other side, essentially padding the part that might sting a bit.