From Idea to Impact: 5 Real-World Steps to Getting Your Great Idea Approved (and Actually Making It Happen)
Every once in a while, we get hit with a spark — that really good idea that you just know could make a difference. Maybe it would streamline a process, create a better experience for customers or fans, or just fix something that’s been bugging everyone for ages.
But here’s the thing: having the idea is the easy part. The real magic happens when you bring it forward, get leadership buy-in, and see it through to the finish line.
This topic came alive during a recent Women In… podcast conversation with Kaleigh O’Brien, who shared some excellent insights about stepping up inside your organization. I walked away from that conversation thinking, we need to talk more about how to actually do this.
Here are five practical steps to take your idea from “I’ve been thinking…” to “Wow, look what we accomplished.”
1. Pressure-Test Your Idea Before You Pitch It
Before you march into your boss’s office, run your idea through a quick filter:
Does it solve a real problem?
Who benefits (team, fans, customers, organization)?
Is it doable with the resources you have?
Kaleigh emphasized something smart: clarity builds credibility. A well-shaped idea gets attention. One that’s half-baked usually doesn’t.
I like to float new ideas past a couple of trusted colleagues first. They’ll spot holes you might have missed — and that early feedback makes your eventual pitch stronger.
2. Connect It to What Matters Most
One of the fastest ways to get your boss’s attention is to tie your idea directly to the bigger picture. Think about your organization’s priorities and language:
“This supports our goal of improving fan experience…”
“This helps us hit our Q3 retention targets by…”
When you show how your idea aligns with strategy, you’re not just sharing a fun concept — you’re speaking their language.
3. Pitch It Like a Partner, Not a Passenger
When it’s time to share the idea, keep it tight and clear. You don’t need a 20-slide deck, but you do need to outline:
The problem
Your proposed solution
The benefits
A rough timeline and what you’d need to make it happen
Confidence matters here. As Kaleigh pointed out, preparation and energy are contagious. If you show up believing in the idea, others are more likely to as well.
4. Co-Create the Plan
Once you get the green light, don’t disappear. Collaborate with your boss (and others) to shape the plan. Invite input on timing, resourcing, or other teams that should be looped in.
The more shared ownership you create up front, the smoother implementation tends to go.
5. Take the Lead — and the Credit Comes Naturally
Ideas don’t change organizations — execution does. Be the one who drives it forward. Schedule the follow-ups, track the progress, and celebrate the wins along the way.
When people see you consistently leading from idea through action, you naturally build trust and influence. That’s leadership in motion.
✨ Final Thought
Kaleigh’s episode is a great reminder that leadership isn’t always about titles — sometimes, it’s about having the courage to bring forward something new and stick with it.
So the next time that lightbulb moment hits? Don’t just sit on it. Shape it, pitch it, and lead it. That’s how real change happens.
