Listening to New Ideas. A useful skill for listening to new ideas is PIPN, a technique that derives from Carl Rogerss (1970) emphasis on paraphrasing as a means for ensuring understanding and Edward deBonos (1976) PMI (plus, minus, and interesting) technique. PIPN involves four steps:

P = Paraphrase. State in your own words what you think the other person is saying. This will ensure that you and the person proposing the idea are talking about the same thing. Your paraphrase also will provide the other person with the opportunity to elaborate or clarify his or her ideas.

I = Interesting. State something interesting that you find in the idea. Say why you think this idea might be interesting to you, to others, to the organization.

P = Positive. Say something positive about the idea. What is good about it? How might it solve a problem or make a situation better?

N = Negative. State any negatives that you think the idea might entail. Might it prove expensive? Difficult to implement? Is it directed at insignificant issues?

Its often easier to analyze an idea when you follow specific steps; in this way theres less likelihood that youll omit some crucial element in the process. Try using PIPN the next time you hear about a new idea; say, in conversation or in a small group. For practice, try PIPN on the PIPN technique itself: (1)Paraphrase the PIPN technique; (2) say why the technique is interesting; (3) say something positive about it; and (4) say something negative about it.