There are times when you have a good idea and suddenly others will turn to you and agree that it’s good and pat you on the back.  ”Terrific!  Now run with it,” they seem to be saying.  But maybe that’s not what you had in mind.  You may have hoped for more support and perhaps more of a team approach.

When unexpected responsibility calls your name, how do you proceed?

- Saying No Gracefully You can decide not to do it, which is tough after all that praise.  But it’s better to give up the spotlight than take on something you will fail at if your heart and mind are not into delivering on your own good idea.  Better to let this one go and move on to an idea you can get behind. 

I once initiated a video project, including writing the script, the marketing plan, and recruiting a partner.   My partner lived  in another state.  While it was possible to make the project work, the time involved for filming and getting the materials back and forth to each other was more than I’d thought through.  I soon realized it would not be an effective  use of my spare time and I had to talk with my partner and let the idea go before we set it in motion.  Turns out she was overextended with other projects and fine with letting our project go.

- Don’t Strike While the Iron is Hot  So many of us get great ideas that we’re passionate about before thinking it through more fully.  What do you want the end result to look like?  What will it take to get there?  You’re already launching and don’t even know what your aim is.  Unfortunately, lots of good ideas get killed off this way.  Write down your idea, the pros and the cons.  Talk it over with a close friend, advisor or coach.  But don’t start investing time, resources and energy before you’ve flushed it out sufficiently to know this is a responsibility you want to take on.

Part of the reason I became a coach is because I’ve seen too many good ideas others have not bear fruit.  Most of the time this is because their attention (and resources) were divided because they didn’t know enough about what they were getting themselves into.  The Internet has vast resources to support you getting the info you need to help you make more informed decisions.  Also, learn from those with experiences similar to what you want to do.

- Look for Recruits  Immediately when you’ve been elected, start making requests and putting your leadership and support team in place.  If you’re at a group meeting, before everyone disbands, speak up and make requests for who will handle various aspects of the project.  Ask them how and when they’ll offer you feedback.  Move into the role of leader coordinating others handling various aspects of the project, whenever you’re launching a good idea.

I recently started a women’s singing group and recognized that having a rotating “Host” at each of our rehearsals was key to me managing details effectively and setting the tone for joint leadership.  It has been an effective strategy.

The next time you have an unexpected responsibility, consider the source too.  Perhaps it’s someone else trying to offload their responsibility.  It could be they’re simply relieved to find a point person and you were the first warm body that came by.  If you do take it on, know clearly what is expected and whether or not you can deliver this.  Even when things are going well, develop backup plans plans.  You may thoroughly enjoy having the spotlight, but that doesn’t mean you should do it all yourself.  Do the parts you love as much as possible, and find others to help you with the rest.