Scott Berkum’s list
Mostly these are used as thought inhibitors: they don’t require any thought to say. They’re used as flinch negative responses, dismissing without explanation. Unlike real critical thinking, which offers a path (e.g if you can overcome x, y and z we’ll consider it) idea killers are lazy dead ends.
Idea Killers
- We tried that already
- That never works
- Would you like a pony?
- Looks like ass
- You’re fired
- We will actively work against you
- (Laughter)
- Not in our budget
- Not an interesting problem
- We don’t have time
- Execs will never go for it
- Out of scope
- But its the law
- Too blue sky / Holy grail
- This train is on fire
- Wont make enough $$
- Not in our business
- Its Non performant (engineering)
- What are you on?
- Can we get someone with a brain in here?
- That isn’t what people want
- No response at all
What are others you’ve heard?
(Via Berkun blog.)