You're at odds with subject matter experts on an e-learning course direction. How do you find common ground?

Finding common ground with SMEs can feel like navigating a minefield, but fostering a sense of shared ownership in the project makes all the difference. When SMEs see their insights valued and integrated into the course design, they become more open to your ideas as well. Create a collaborative environment by inviting them to participate in brainstorming sessions, and emphasize that this is a team effort. By framing the project as a partnership rather than a tug-of-war, you're more likely to build trust and camaraderie. The goal is to create something meaningful together, where everyone's expertise is celebrated.

I think if we're at odds with a SME about e-Learning direction, it could be because of how we're positioning ourselves. For years I positioned myself as a task executor because I wanted to seem reliable and cooperative, but then I found it was hard to influence stakeholders and SMEs over things like direction and deadlines. Now I find that if I ask the right questions in the beginning, challenge assumptions, and prototype ideas early and often, it's much easier to navigate conflicting expectations and misaligned goals. I think highlighting shared goals is a good step, but a bit of goal analysis might be needed first. If the goals aren't well formed or defined, there may be various interpretations of those very goals.