Are you an ideaphobic?

During this year's Super Bowl, General Electric and ad agency BBDO released a brilliant video spot. The commercial highlights an odd-looking creature that represents an idea. After discussing how messy and disruptive ideas can be, the ad shows how an idea that is nurtured can turn into a beautiful creature.

The gist of the commercial is that people are afraid of ideas. They don't want to mess with the way things are, which means they don't like ideas because they demand change and flexibility. Most people simply don't want to know what's on the other side.

Based on our continued fear of ideas and the perceived risk they pose to our comfortable lives, we never truly embrace the opportunity they represent. That's why there are countless corporate cultures rooted in fear – organizations that lack the innovation needed to achieve extraordinary results.

The end is never far when people refuse to execute an idea. Either their culture doesn't allow for mistakes, or they want to stay focused on tasks at hand. You will be hard-pressed to find any truly great organization that does not have a culture of ideation and creativity. Check out "Five Successful Ideation Session Essentials" featured in this month's e-connect newsletter.

Smaller companies can't afford not to take risks. Taking risks should be the lifeblood of what they do and how they make a name for themselves. Large companies can't afford to bank on yesterday. They must incubate new ideas and allow the creative process to permeate throughout their organizations.

Today, ideas are the cornerstone of who we are. The goal is to help others execute on their ideas and realize the best of who they are.