1. push back gently and with the right intentions

you don’t want to come across as someone not open to new ideas, but you know that saying “yes, of course!” to every new idea leads to lots of extra work and late nights. try to find the middle ground. instead of responding with “no problem” every time, ask some questions in return. try to find out more about the problem that is solved or a new opportunity it creates and how it fits into the organisation’s strategy. does it relate to current projects and priorities, and which departments should be involved? that will give you a better understanding of the idea and its context, and it might help your boss realise the idea isn’t as good as it looks at first sight.  

2. let it go for a couple of days

don’t automatically assume that when your boss shares an idea they expect you to do something about it. people with creative minds can think of 100 new ideas in an instant. so, don’t start working on it, but let it go for some days. after a week, check in with your boss and ask if the idea is still relevant. there is a good chance your boss has already moved on.

3. start with a one-pager

creatives often have difficulty estimating how long or how much effort activities will take. if your boss is still very enthusiastic about the idea, don’t dive in immediately, instead, create a one-pager with the fundamentals first. show who needs to be involved and estimate the required time and effort. discuss the one-pager with your boss, and you might conclude not pursuing the idea after all.

4. ask for specific feedback

if you work for a leader who often changes their mind, asking for general feedback such as “what do you think?” will certainly lead to comments about things to change or add. but if you ask for feedback on something specific, you’ll have a much better conversation.

5. reflect on why it’s bothering you so much

do you find yourself overwhelmed every time your boss shares a new idea? then, you might be clinging to certainty too much. indeed, some bosses constantly change their minds because they lack a clear vision or don’t respect the time of their team. however, many leaders change their minds because, even though it might be frustrating and create more work for you, the circumstances call for it.

you don’t want to work for a leader who never changes their mind. good bosses are open to new developments and trends, are willing to try something different, and constantly improve the workplace and way of working.

remember, change is a natural part of progress.