Addressing This is How we Have Always Done It

If you are like most growth-minded leaders, you want to change and grow.

You are excited to try new things and adopt new technologies, tactics, and behaviors.

…and you might be disappointed when the rest of the team does not share your enthusiasm…

Here’s a couple things to keep in mind if you want to get people moving with you.

Give people time to understand. You may have been thinking about and researching your idea for months before deciding your idea is a good idea. Give others the grace of a little time to absorb the information.

Any good idea needs to be sold to more than one person. Be ready to sell. Ideas do not sell themselves no matter how good they are.

Don’t take lack of enthusiasm for your idea personally. When people come to you with their ideas, you would expect the same, right? Nobody just has the right to take their ball and go home in a huff.

Be humble enough to know your idea may not be 100% baked. Even the best ideas will have some flaws. The best deals have some hair on them. Take feedback and revise the plan. Stay flexible on the how and implacable on the what.

Talk improvement and the need for speed at every opportunity. Make sure people know that constant innovation is how your team works. That way when real ideas and plans to improve are presented, the team is primed.

Lastly… get comfy with the role of benevolent dictator. The workplace is not a democracy where people get to vote. If you have the responsibility to make the decision and think it is in the best interests of the company – then channel your inner Captain Picard and be willing to say, “Make it so.”