Shooting Down Ideas Is Not a Skill (scottlawsonbc.com)

The article argues that “shooting down” proposals in meetings often feels constructive but usually prevents value creation, since finding flaws is quicker and easier than developing upside. It explains cognitive biases that make negativity and status quo concerns dominate discussions, discouraging future ideas. The suggested fix is to separate optimistic exploration from critical stress-testing (e.g., using “yellow” for upside, then “black” for risks) and to frame concerns as solvable conditions.