Proposal rejected: the next step

IN Volume 42 Number 3 of the EMR, I referred to my observations regarding the manner in which members of the technical community (engineers, scientists, software developers, etc.) handle rejection of ideas, proposals, and other recommendations. Too often, once a proposal has been made and rejected it dies; the originators consider the issue as "case closed." This type of behavior is disconcerting, because people who can articulate an idea so as to inspire confidence and guide its implementation are the organization’s future, but it demands passion and dedication to reach a conclusion; it demands an attitude that allows for the unconventional thought architects to create an innovation environment. Just a reminder of where we are: · We're considering "Bottom-Up" innovation, not Top-Down. · Well-intentioned failure is acceptable; failure occurring through negligence requires some form of resolution. · INNOVATION = INVENTION + COMMERCIALIZATION or IMPLEMENTATION; no commercialization or implementation, no innovation.