Run it up the flagpole

Run it up the flagpole

A business phrase that means to present an idea, proposal, or product to a group of people in order to gauge their reactions and opinions. This phrase is often used in the context of testing a new idea or proposal before investing significant resources into it. By “running it up the flagpole,” a person or team can gather feedback and refine the idea or proposal before presenting it to a wider audience or decision-making authority. The phrase is derived from the practice of running a flag up a flagpole to see how it looks before a final decision is made.

An example of “run it up the flagpole” in business coaching could be a coach advising a client to test their ideas or proposals with a select group of stakeholders before fully committing to them. The coach may suggest that the client present their ideas to a focus group, advisory board, or other relevant parties to gauge their reactions and gather feedback. By running their ideas up the flagpole, the client can get a sense of whether they are likely to be well-received by their target audience and make any necessary adjustments before proceeding. The coach can provide guidance and support as the client navigates this process, helping them to refine their ideas and build support for their proposals.

Run it up the flagpole DEFINITION:

Open Toggle
"1. To test an idea or proposal to see if it gains support or acceptance from others. 2. To present a new idea or product to a group or audience to get their feedback and reactions."

Run it up the flagpole QUOTE:

Open Toggle
1."Let's run it up the flagpole and see who salutes it. Spoiler alert: probably no one." 2."Running it up the flagpole is like throwing spaghetti at the wall. It's messy, but sometimes it sticks."

Run it up the flagpole