Are You Blind to Your Ideas’ Flaws? Here’s How to Objectively Assess Their Value—and See Clearly

Have you ever been so excited about an idea that you couldn’t see its flaws? Maybe it was a new marketing campaign, a product launch, or even a personal project. You were convinced it was brilliant—until someone came along and pointed out the holes in your plan.

That’s the thing about ideas: they’re like our mental children. We birth them, nurture them, and sometimes, we’re so blinded by their potential that we can’t see their shortcomings.

We’ve all been there. It’s like cooking a meal you’re proud of, only to have a friend taste it and say, “Needs more salt.” At first, it stings. But then you realize: their feedback just made your dish better.

As I’ve reflected on this, I’ve realized that the hardest part of innovation isn’t coming up with ideas—it’s objectively assessing their value. The truth is, we’re often too close to our own ideas to see them clearly. We cling to our mental constructs, blinded by the excitement of our “brilliant” thoughts.

That’s why we need outsiders to question everything, to put on their six thinking hats, and to play the devil’s advocate. They challenge us to see the gaps, weaknesses, and blind spots we’d prefer to ignore.

But you could also try and do your best to assess the value of your ideas objectively. Below I share practical tips to ensure your “brilliant” thoughts truly shine.

Why Self-Reflection Is Hard (And Why You Need Help):

Let’s face it: humans are wired to cling to our own mental constructs. It’s like wearing rose-colored glasses—everything looks perfect until someone points out the cracks.

Self-reflection isn’t easy. I practice it daily and still find it hard. Some days it feels like trying to read a book while holding it an inch from my face. The problem? Being emotionally invested.

That’s where a devil’s advocate comes in. They’re the friend who tells you your new haircut isn’t working, the colleague who questions your assumptions, or the mentor who challenges your strategy. They don’t do it to be mean; they do it to help you see the bigger picture.

Why It Matters:
Without a devil’s advocate, we risk falling into the trap of confirmation bias—only seeing the evidence that supports our ideas and ignoring the rest. It’s similar to building a house on a shaky foundation; it might look great at first, but it won’t stand the test of time. 

How to Spot Blind Spots Before They Sink Your Idea

Blind spots are like hidden icebergs—you don’t see them until it’s too late. And let’s be real: no one wants their brilliant idea to go full Titanic.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to hit an iceberg to figure out it’s there. You can spot those sneaky blind spots before they sink your ship. Here’s how:

1. Ask, “What am I missing?”
   • Seriously, just pause and ask yourself this one question. It’s like turning on a flashlight in a dark room—you’ll be amazed at what you suddenly see.
2. Seek diverse perspectives.
   • Talk to people who think differently than you do. They’ll spot things you’d never notice, like a friend pointing out spinach in your teeth before a big meeting.
3. Reflect on past mistakes.
   • Yeah, I know, looking back at flops isn’t exactly fun. But here’s the thing: your past mistakes are like a treasure map. They show you where the pitfalls are so you can avoid them next time.

By catching blind spots early, you’re not just saving your idea—you’re setting it up to sail smoothly toward success.

4 Ways to Assess Your Ideas Objectively (Even If You’re Too Close to See Clearly)

Now that you know how to spot blind spots, let’s dive into how to assess your ideas objectively. Here are some proven frameworks to help you evaluate your ideas in detail

1. Embrace the Six Thinking Hats

Developed by Edward de Bono, the Six Thinking Hats method is a powerful tool for evaluating ideas from multiple perspectives. A means of breaking old patterns and creating new ones. Think of the hats as a way to help you think for yourself, both creatively and inclusively.

By metaphorically wearing each hat you look at the value from a different angle. Each hat prompts you to focus on a different thing. Below I’ve added a question for each hat to make it easier for you.

• White Hat: Focus on the facts and data. What do the numbers say?
• Red Hat: Tap into your emotions and intuition. How does the idea feel?
• Black Hat: Play the devil’s advocate. What are the risks and weaknesses?
• Yellow Hat: Look for the positives. What are the potential benefits?
• Green Hat: Think creatively. How can the idea be improved or expanded?
• Blue Hat: Manage the process. What’s the next step?

Why It Works: This method forces you to step out of your comfort zone and consider perspectives you might otherwise dismiss.

2. Seek External Feedback

Your devil’s advocate doesn’t have to be a single person—it can be a diverse group of people who bring different perspectives to the table. And the best part is that you can invite those people to share their feedback. Here are 3 ways to make feedback work for you.

• Ask the Right Questions: Instead of “Do you like this idea?” ask “What could go wrong?” or “How would you improve this?”
• Listen Without Defensiveness: It’s easy to get defensive when someone critiques your idea, but remember—they’re trying to help you, not hurt you.
• Test Your Idea: Run a pilot or gather data to see how your idea performs in the real world.

Why It Works: External feedback is a pot of gold. A free reality check that helps you see your idea through fresh eyes.

3. Use Analogies to Spot Blind Spots

Analogies are a great way to uncover hidden flaws. For example:

• If your idea is a new hotel loyalty program, think of it like a relationship. Are you offering enough value to keep guests loyal, or are you taking them for granted?
• If your idea is a sustainability initiative, think of it like a garden. Are you planting seeds for long-term growth, or just watering weeds?

Why It Works: Analogies force you to think differently and uncover assumptions you might not have questioned.

4. Use the “So What?” Approach

Some call it the “5 Whys”. Both are a simple but effective way to dig deeper into your idea. No matter the question you use (So What or Why) the goal is to ask it 4-5 times so you can get to the root cause. Try to imagine a curious toddler constantly asking, “But why?”—except this time, you’re the one asking the questions.

Here’s how it works:

State your idea or assumption.

Ask, “So what?” or “Why”.

Answer the question.

Repeat until you uncover the true value or flaw.

Let’s say your Idea is : We should launch a new loyalty program.

• So what? Guests will feel more valued.
• So what? They’ll stay longer and spend more.
• So what? We’ll increase revenue and build long-term relationships.
• So what? We’ll have more resources to invest in sustainability initiatives.
• So what? We’ll align with our values, long-term vision and attract conscious travelers.

Why It Works: This approach helps you clarify the purpose and impact of your idea, ensuring it aligns with your goals and values.

Your Action Plan: How to Assess Your Ideas Like a Pro

Now that you know why blind spots matter, what you need, and how to spot them, let’s talk about how to put this into practice. Here’s your step-by-step action plan:

1. Schedule a Devil’s Advocate Session:
   • Set aside time to have someone challenge your idea. Give them permission to ask tough questions and poke holes in your plan.
2. Run a Six Thinking Hats Workshop:
   • Gather your team (or just yourself) and evaluate your idea from all six perspectives. It’s like a mental workout for your idea.
   • Use the “So what approach” to get super clear on the impact. (Save your notes and use them in your copy. You’ll thank me later.)
3. Test Your Idea in the Real World:
   • Start small. Run a pilot, gather feedback, and see how your idea holds up under pressure.
4. Reflect and Refine:
   • Look back at what worked (and what didn’t). Use those insights to polish your idea until it shines.

If you catch yourself overthinking, pick 1 small action and do it today.

The Power of Objectively Assessing Your Valuable Idea

Let’s face it: being objective doesn’t come naturally. We’re wired to love our own ideas—flaws and all. But here’s the thing: great ideas aren’t born brilliant; they’re polished that way.

Think of a diamond. It doesn’t sparkle straight out of the ground. It’s chipped, cut, and polished to reveal its true brilliance. Your ideas are the same. They need refining to shine.

So, the next time you’re convinced you’ve come up with the next big thing, take a step back. Put on your six thinking hats, seek external feedback, and embrace the devil’s advocate. Because the best ideas aren’t just brilliant—they’re resilient, well-rounded, and built to last.

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. So go ahead, spot those blind spots, and steer your idea toward the success it deserves. You’ve got this!