When someone suggests an idea that you think is crazy.... Pause 10 seconds. (Don't just blurt out, "That will never work!) During that pause, see if you can figure out how the person who suggested it is reframing, what they are appreciating in the situation, and how they are envisioning the solution (the three components of Appreciative Intelligence). If you can't determine what they're seeing, ask the person (in a nonjudgmental way) the following three questions:

1. How are you seeing this? (Is this a technology, talent, financial, HR or other solution?) (This will tell you how he or she is framing the situation.)

2. What is valuable or positive in this situation? What are the benefits of this solution? (This will tell you what is being appreciated.)

3. What talent or resources do we already have or what already exists that can be applied to make this solution happen?

If the person can't answer those questions (particularly the third one) on the spot, ask if he or she might think about it and get back to you. If he never comes back to you with answers,  he might have realized that this is an idea that would best be left by the wayside.

 If you get full answers that shed new light on the solution, you might find that you understand it now, you have helped a new idea flourish (and you won't end up with the reputation as the critical colleague or manager who rains on everyone else's brainstorms).