Ever found yourself in a meeting where your brilliant idea fell flat, not because it wasn't good, but because of how you presented it? I have, more times than I care to admit. Ever wondered why some people’s ideas tend to be accepted more than yours? If might simply come down to how you start your pitch.
The Art of Influence in Teams
A numbers of years ago, I watched two equally talented colleagues pitch similar ideas to our leadership team. They were both great ideas, however one started with "We have to do this..." while the other began with "I propose we consider..." Despite the ideas being comparable in merit, the second was met with enthusiasm while the first faced resistance.
This moment stuck with me, and has changed how I communicate ideas ever since – it’s also what I teach my teams.
In any team environment, your ability to influence is often the difference between success and stagnation. Whether you're a junior developer or a team lead, how effectively you can persuade others to consider your perspective directly impacts both your personal growth and the team's outcomes.
The hard truth? Being right isn't enough. You need to be persuasive, while also balancing confidence and early trust.
The Communication Tightrope
When sharing ideas, we all walk a delicate tightrope. Appear too timid, and your ideas might be overlooked. Come across too forceful, and you risk creating immediate resistance, regardless of how brilliant your suggestion might be.
The challenge isn't just what you say—it's how you say it.
Many of us have experienced that awkward moment when what we intended as a helpful suggestion was received as an arrogant directive. Or that frustrating instance where our passionate advocacy was dismissed as being pushy.
The Simple Sentence-Starter Hack
Here's where the magic comes in: the words you use to introduce your ideas have surprising power. Two phrases in particular can transform how your suggestions are received. Simply start with:
"I propose..."
"I suggest..."
These openers work because they:
- Signal respect for others' opinions while still conveying confidence
- Frame your idea as an invitation to collaborate rather than a demand
- Allow others to feel they have agency in the decision
- Create space for discussion without immediate polarisation
The difference between saying "We need to change our approach" and "I propose we consider a different approach" might seem subtle, but the impact on how others receive your message can often be profound.
Why This Works
Starting with "I propose" or "I suggest" prefaces your idea as a suggestion, while leaving it open to being improved or challenged. These phrases are assertive enough to show conviction in your idea, but open enough to acknowledge that others' input matters.
They position you as thoughtful rather than impulsive, collaborative rather than controlling.
Most importantly, they disarm the natural resistance people feel when they perceive someone else is trying to force a decision.
Putting It Into Practice
Next time you have an idea to share, try leading with one of these phrases. Notice how it changes both how you frame your thoughts and how others respond to them.
This isn't about manipulation; it's about effective communication that respects the collaborative nature of teamwork while still allowing your voice to be heard.
In the high-stakes environment of modern workplaces, sometimes the most powerful change you can make isn't what you say, but how you begin saying it.
After all, influence isn't about forcing your will—it's about creating the conditions where your good ideas can flourish.