--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you give people an idea these days…" description: "\"If you give people an idea these days, they just think you are sharing it with them so they can critique it, play devil's advocate, and so on. It doesn..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30e/esm-raji-codell-26371_courtesy_if-you-give-people-an-idea-these-days-th_1575026.jpg" --- # If you give people an idea these days, they just think you… ![“If you give people an idea these days, they just think you are sharing it with them so they can critique it, play devil's advocate, and so on. It doesn't occur to them that they might help or get enthused or at least have the courtesy to get out of your way.” quote by Esme Raji Codell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30e/esm-raji-codell-26371_courtesy_if-you-give-people-an-idea-these-days-th_1575026.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30e/esm-raji-codell-26371_courtesy_if-you-give-people-an-idea-these-days-th_1575026.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30e/esm-raji-codell-26371_courtesy_if-you-give-people-an-idea-these-days-th_1575026.jpg) > “If you give people an idea these days, they just think you are sharing it with them so they can critique it, play devil's advocate, and so on. It doesn't occur to them that they might help or get enthused or at least have the courtesy to get out of your way.” [Esme Raji Codell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esm-raji-codell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often treat ideas as debate fodder rather than opportunities for collaboration or enthusiasm. **In simple terms:** Ideas are seen as critique targets, not collaborative chances. Key Takeaway Encourage open, supportive dialogue. Themes communication collaboration mindset Mood frustrated hopeful Type advice observational When to use this quote - team meetings - brainstorm sessions - creative workshops - feedback loops Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can you frame ideas to invite partnership? - What signals make others feel safe to engage positively? A Different Perspective Some audiences may still resist or misinterpret ideas despite a supportive tone. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courtesy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courtesy/) [Critique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critique/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Devil 's advocate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil-s-advocate/) [Devil Advocate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil-advocate-275192/) [Devil's Advocate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devils-advocate/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-idea-296760/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Sharing Critique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharing-critique-5937294/) [These days](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/these-days/) [Think Sharing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-sharing-1721946/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [That's one of those hazards of an interview: You get tired of your stock answer and you try to get creative and even play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-martsch/that-s-one-of-those-hazards-of-an-interview-you-get-tired-of-your/) [Doug Martsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-martsch/) > [Whenever you feel like feeling like a devil's advocate, Bible-thump. 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And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Less of your courtesy and more of your purse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverb/less-of-your-courtesy-and-more-of-your-purse/) [Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/proverb/) > [Dullness is a courteous fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammad-mustafa/dullness-is-a-courteous-fear/) [Mohammad MUSTAFA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammad-mustafa/) > [Lobbying' is the activity of attempting to influence legislation by privately influencing the legislators. 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