There is an air of OPTIMISM that keeps revealing itself. I came to Washington D.C. this week and you can feel it here. It started with a "drive-by welcome" outside my hotel window when President Obama returned after the GREAT BURGER lunch via Pennsylvania Avenue. I admit it was a memorable moment I won't forget. The next day, I had the honor of meeting with senior executives from numerous departments of the U.S. Government to talk about Putting Our Differences to Work. I was moved by their passion and commitment to mission --- and to the possibilities they shared. The topic of convincing others to accept new ideas came up. We all seem to be brimming with them. So I write this thinking about their important work in service of all of us...
There is TRUTH in the familiar saying, "it's all in how it's presented" and right now, getting buy-in for our NEW IDEAS has taken on a new significance in these hard times. It seems we are all looking for ways to influence someone or something. Although, most of us acknowledge that getting buy-in for new ideas is essential, our actions frequently demonstrate we don't have a clue about getting it. In fact, the most critical success factor is often discounted, overlooked, avoided, or just ignored---ACCEPTANCE. My long time colleague, futurist Joel Barker affirmed what we need to keep in mind when he said, "It is natural and logical for people to resist change. New ideas upset the balance and change makes things difficult. Only by developing the ability to present your idea from the user's point of view will you be able to achieve success."
Some of us don't want anything to do with "selling" anything, especially if we've had bad experiences with sales people. If selling an idea hasn't been part of our training, it is common to confuse methods of effective speaking or teaching techniques with what is necessary to influence acceptance of a new idea. There is a big difference. Here are some common mistakes we often make because of our misunderstanding of what is required:
- Our explanation of a new idea is too complicated, too long, or lacks focus.
- We present ideas that are "half-baked" - sharing them before we've thought through the details and explored the implications.
- We forget to make sure we have a compelling "business case" to give potential sponsors a reason to say, "Yes!"
- We don't invest in our own PREPARATION to introduce what we are most passionate about; Rumi was on to something, when he said, "Attention to small details, makes perfect a large work."
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Our approach to sharing ideas causes more trouble than it is worth (e.g., never, never send your new idea to a large distribution list without sponsorship. :-)
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We've not come up with an easy way to test the idea so the risk, $$$, and personal involvement scares the sponsors we need.
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We ask too many people for ideas and then use them all; instead of trusting our own judgment.
These unintentional MISTAKES create a great "yardstick" for evaluating your approach to sharing new ideas --- even if the new idea happens to be YOU and your organization, REINVENTED for a new time.
If you need help, here are two ideas:
1. See WORKING TOGETHER ... Innovate, Influence, and Win --- my "learning-on-the-go" audio series. It offers lots of great ideas. http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/workingtogether
2, Join me on MAY 19 for an ONLINE DIALOGUE ---- Connecting for SUCCESS in HARD TIMES. We are going to explore how business and social networking can help you introduce yourself and your business in a new way. Learn more and register here: http://tinyurl.com/MAY19INVITATION
No fees. Just register and we'll send you the login. Come learn from others and share your ideas.
Best...
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
founder, Global Dialogue Center Twitter@onlinedialogues
and Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work(Berrett-Koehler 2008)
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
YouTube Book Review by futurist Joel A. Barker
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